Ranchi: In Jharkhand, three people were murdered, and six committed suicide in their battle against corruption in the UPA's ambitious employment guarantee scheme.
Not surprisingly those who siphoned crores got away, but in election season, the issue is back in focus. Politicians are promising jobs but is anyone buying these tall claims?
Niyamat Ansari and Bhukan Singh are paying a heavy price for exposing the collusion between contractors and government officials in siphoning off around Rs 50 from the National Employment Guarantee Scheme in Palamau district. At least nine activists have already died in this vicious battle.
But though their lives are under constant threat they continue to fight for the villagers' right to work. And now with election days away, villagers are clear that unless politicians deliver they will not get their support.
"They should give us in writing that they will give us work and work for us or we will not vote for them," said an old man.
There has been a great deal of impact on the ground and people are no longer willing to believe politicians.