Modi App Demonetization survey: 10.20 lakh people spread across 684 of 687 districts gave feedback

Against the backdrop of questions raised by the Opposition over the survey on Narendra Modi App, an article on it on Thursday said the sample size of the poll was 10.20 lakh spread across 684 of 687 districts of the country, making it the "first" such exercise on a "policy or a political issue".

While giving statistics of the survey, the article said the Prime Minister had decided to personally respond to the "vast majority" who supported his move as also those who voted against the move. Each response was read and analysed and the comments and suggestions were bucketed under two broad categories -- Suggestions and Issues, it said.

These were then forwarded to the Union Ministry of Finance and NITI Ayog which used them as an important input in framing their policy tweaks and responses and the communication outreach respectively, it said. "The sample size of the survey is 10.20 lakhs. Such a large sample size on a policy or a political issue a first in India," the article said. "Responses have been received from 684 districts of India (out of total 687). Each of the 36 states and Union Territories have been represented. In terms of width and scale, this is a staggering response," it added. It said the survey was open for anyone to take and there was no entry barrier.

The statistics were released against the backdrop of questions raised by the Opposition over the veracity and extent of the survey launched on November 22. Next day, it was stated on the App that in just over 24 hours of the survey, more than 5 lakh people have participated and expressed their opinion.

More than 93% people supported the move to demonetize the old 500 and 1000 rupee notes and only 2% have rated the move as 'very poor' or 'one star', the survey result had said. More than 90% of the respondents felt the government's move to tackle black money was above four-star rating, the survey result had said. 73% of them give it five-star rating of 'brilliant', it had added.

On the overall fight against corruption, more than 92% of respondents either rated the government as 'very good' or 'good' while 57% of them rate the fight as 'very good', the result on the App had said. "As high as 86% people believe that some so- called anti-corruption activists are now actually batting in support of black money, corruption and even terrorist financing!", it had said.

The article on Thursday said Modi had decided to conduct the survey on his App after "every attempt was made to suggest that the Prime Minister's decision was out of sync with the ground realities." It added that "This survey was in spirit with his consistent belief in participative governance." 

Citing the good performance of BJP in Parliament, Assembly and local bodies polls in various states after demonetization, the article said, "it is thus not surprising that the survey on the Narendra Modi App gave the numbers it did." Contending that the "response to the survey, state wise, makes for compelling reading", the article said "the BJP does not have any historical presence in many of the states represented in the survey. Yet, the level of support for this move, as can be seen in the below graphics, is same or even higher than the national average."

Writing to those who supported the drive, the Prime Minister said, 'your opinion and insight is a source of great strength. I thank you for the faith you have placed in me and the Government.' To those who disagreed with him, Prime Minister wrote: "I value the insightful feedback that you have shared. It inspires us to work even harder in fulfilling the dreams and aspirations of the people of India. The views and feedback that you have shared will help us strengthen aspects of the implementation of this very important step taken by the Government with regard to high value currency notes."