The BJP’s communal campaign of targeting Muslims as ‘Bangladeshi infiltrators’ did not get traction amongst Adivasis and other Jharkhandi communities.

The step is likely to worsen the denial of ration to the poor and add to the woes of cardholders.

From countering the Hindutva narrative to getting their act together on the ground, the opposition parties have their work cut out for the assembly elections scheduled later this year.

Denial of rations and pensions due to the absence of Aadhaar cards and a lack of jobs has pushed many from the Sabar community in Jamshedpur to the brink.

A closer look at MGNREGA and NSAP in Jharkhand shows that Aadhaar is leading to substantial exclusion and violations of entitlements of workers and pensioners.

It is evident that prime minister Modi’s ambitious strides in search of a 'New India', coupled with his government’s disdain for welfare, are leaving the basic lifelines of the poor far behind.

Despite widespread violations of workers' entitlements, the BJP government as well as the opposition have shown nothing but apathy.

Most technocratic interventions introduced in MGNREGA appear to be designed to aid administrators rather than for actually helping workers.

By centralising the control of funds, using technology excessively and fixing asset creation targets, the Centre has effectively taken ownership of the scheme away from gram panchayats and workers in Jharkhand.