KOCHI> The Covid and lockdown scenario has impacted two notable changes in the consumption pattern and behaviour of Malayalis-suggests an online survey carried out by Kochi-based Centre for Socio-economic and Environmental Studies (CSES). Two notable changes observed during the period are higher dependency on Public Distribution System (PDS) and higher reliance on neighbourhood grocery shops for essential items by all sections of the society irrespective of economic class differences. The study reveals that a majority of respondents has made use of the ration card to buy essential items during the lockdown.
The survey was conducted between April 28 and May 6. Of the 504 persons polled, 12 per cent belonged to priority category holding yellow and pink ration cards, 22 per cent belonged to state subsidy category holding blue ration cards and 56 per cent to non-priority category holding white ration cards. 10 per cent did not have ration cards.
The study aimed to answer the following questions; was there any change in the consumption pattern and behaviour of Malayalis during the Covid-lockdown period? Did they experience any shortage in essential products or services? How far did the consumersand the shopkeepers follow the safety measures stipulated by the Government? The survey was conducted between 28th April 2020 and May 6th 2020. Since the survey was organised online, it might have reached only among those sections with internet access and online literacy. Therefore, the respondents of this study cannot be considered as a representative sample of the Kerala society, which is a major limitation of the current study.Increased Dependency on Public Distribution System (PDS)
· The survey reveals that most of the householdsin Kerala has depended on PDS during the lockdown.
The survey finds that 92 per cent of the households possessing rationcard has purchased from ration shops during the lockdown (Figure 1). Among the respondents possessing the rationcard, 16 per cent has purchased ration for the first time or after a long period.
Base: Households possessing rationcards
Almost all the (98 per cent) priority card holders (yellow and pink rationcard holders), 91 per cent of the state subsidy card holders (blue rationcard holders) and 85 per cent of the non-priority card holders (white rationcard holders) have made purchasesfrom rationshops during lockdown (Figure 2). It is notable that, among the non-priority card holding households, 21 per cent is buying ration for the first time or after a long gap. This shows that regardless of the economic differences, all sections of Kerala availed PDS services during this period.
Kerala is the first state that implemented a universalised PDSduring the lockdown. Currently, the distribution of free kits of essential items through rationshops is progressing in the state. The survey outcome proves that such interventions of the government have been a great relief to all sections of the society. This also points to the need forfurther strengthening of the PDS in post-Covid Kerala. The increased dependency of non-priority category on PDS may escalate the pressure on the state government. Therefore, the share of food grains allocated to Kerala from the centre requires to be augmented.
The recent report on People Centric Services published by the fourth Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) of Kerala observes that the efficiency of the services delivered by the rationshops in Kerala and the quality of food grains distributed through these shops have improved considerably. The recommendation of the commission to distribute other essential food items (apart from food grains) through rationshops is also relevant here.
Rise in the Reliance on Neighbourhood Kirana Stores
The survey results reveal that, the reliance of Malayalis on neighbourhood grocery stores for essential items has increased during lockdown period. At the same time, the number of households purchasing essential items from super markets declined.
· In the pre-lockdown time, 38 per cent of the respondent households used to purchase grocery items from super markets or shopping malls. However, during the lockdown period, this hasdeclined to 20 per cent (Figure 3). Besides, an additional 15 per cent households started buying from neighbourhood grocery shops during this period. It is also relevant to note that, even amidst theprevailed stringent restrictions on the movement, just a 5 per cent of the householdsdepend on the online/home delivery facilities.
Among the non-priority households, 43 per cent used to buy essential items from super markets or shopping malls in the pre-lockdown period. However, this got reduced to 24 per cent during lockdown. The difficulty in going out and the precautions adopted to cut down the physical proximity with others were reported as the major factors for this change.
Availability of Essential Items
· The study reveals that the households did notface shortage in the availability of essential goods such as food grains and other groceries during lockdown but in fish, meat and bakery products.
Among the respondent households, only less than 5 per cent reported that they experienced a shortage of food grains during the lockdown. Less than 15 per cent of the households reported a shortage of other grocery items such as milk or lentils during the time. However, 82 per cent and 45 per cent reportedly faced shortage of fish and meat respectively. Half of the respondents opined that they experienced a reduced availability of bakery products too. Although fishing and its marketing were brought under essential services, the restrictions imposed on big and mechanised boats and non-availability of transportation facilities adversely affected the marketing and distribution of fish. Therefore, the availability of fish was more or less limited to the costal and nearby areas. Thesecould be the major factors thatcontributed to the reduced availability of fish during the period.
Some of the respondents reported difficulty to access hospital services, mobile services and repair ofelectrical and home appliances during the lockdown period.
Changes in Income
· Survey finds a reduction in income of the economically vulnerable households during lockdown.
Among the respondents, 61 per cent reported that their income got reduced during the lockdown period (Figure 5). As revealed by the survey results, the poor households have majorly borne the brunt of the situation. Whileamong the priority card holding households, 97 per cent suffered an income reduction, among the non-priority card holders it was less than half of the households(49 per cent). It underscores the importance to provide thrust to incomegeneration amongeconomically weaker sections in the government relief packages.
A large majority of respondents (92%) feelsthey will have to reduce the day to day expenses in view of the continuing lockdown.
Safe Shopping
Malayalis developed a practice of wearing masks and sanitising hands while going out.
The survey also explored how far the safety measures mandated by the government (such as personal cleanliness, physical distancing, restrictions in going out, etc.) to contain the spread of virus were followed by the consumers and sellers. It is noted that in 12 per cent of the respondent households, elderly people (above 60 years) usually goes out to purchase things during the lockdown. It is a matter of concern that the elderly are still required to go out to buy things in spite of the concerted efforts taken by the state government to facilitate them to remain at home. It calls for special attention from the authorities as scientific studiesreveal more complications due to Covid among the elderly.
The study also finds that, 87 per cent of respondents covers the face with mask or towel and 70 per cent sanitise hands regularly while going out for shopping (Figure 7).
The state government has also published the safety guidelines to be implemented in shops. However, the survey results show that many of the shops are not following these instructions.
The Covid and lockdown scenario has impacted the consumption pattern and behaviour of Malayalis. Two notable changes observed during the period are higher dependency on Public Distribution System(PDS) and higher reliance on neighbourhood grocery shops for essential items by all sections of the society irrespective of economic class differences.
Although the public is more or less following the safety measures instructed by the government, many of the shops are not observing them.
Given the stagnation of economic activities including the primary sector and the resulting job and income losses, the Covid situation definitely has animpact on the future consumption pattern of Malayalis. Especially, as pointed out in the study, if the people reduce their consumption, theeconomy will be pushed into deeper crisis.
