Coronavirus: Eight most affected states account for 60pc of India's GDP
Analysts are estimating a contraction of up to five percent in GDP despite the government's efforts of pumping stimulus.
Eight states most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic account for over 60 percent of the GDP, and the extended restrictions will slam the economy harder, a report said on Tuesday.
The eight states which include Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu, among others, also account for 58 percent of the employment, domestic rating agency research wing said in the report.
The lockdown has been extended till May 31 by the Indian government for the fourth time with a liberty to states to decide the grading of the zones. Many of the affected states like Maharashtra have decided to continue with the restrictions.
Analysts are estimating a contraction of up to five percent in GDP despite the government's efforts of pumping stimulus.
With states continuing to see a rise in cases, the restrictions have been extended. This is bound to slam the overall economy harder, the report said.
It noted that the top eight states have been selected as per the districts affected as of the end of the third lockdown on Sunday.
At the all-India level, the virus spread and lockdowns, and restrictions have pummelled economic activity. While all states were near uniformly hit during the first and second lockdown phases, the third and fourth would impact them differently, it said.
Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Gujarat being most dependent on output from industry and services are more vulnerable to output losses as they face restrictions, it said.
Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, on the other hand, are fiscally more vulnerable due to relatively higher debt ratios and also have a high dependence on revenue sources from petroleum, liquor, and stamp duty, it added.
The output could be more affected in the eight most pandemic-hit states as they face restrictions, it said, adding that the share of gross state value added (GSVA) from these states is 64 percent in agriculture, 63 percent in industry, and 53 percent in services.
Those with higher dependence on agriculture like Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, UP, and West Bengal could fare better as a normal monsoon is expected to support it, it added.
Among the relatively less-hit states, restrictions on economic activity could hurt Karnataka and Kerala, where the share of industry and services is higher, while in others like MP, Punjab, and Bihar, a higher share of agriculture could cushion the economy this year.
Edited by Suman Singh
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