MGNREGA Replaced, Aravallis Threatened in India

The Indian government has made two big changes that are worrying many people.

First, they weakened the rules protecting the Aravalli hills, which are important for the environment.

This makes it easier for companies to use the land for real estate and mining.

Second, they replaced a law called MGNREGA, which guaranteed jobs for rural workers, with a new program called VB-G RAM G. This new program gives more power to the central government and takes away some rights from local communities.

Both of these changes affect what are called 'commons,' which are shared natural resources like hills, rivers, and forests.

The government and companies are taking over these commons, which hurts both the environment and the people who depend on them.

The article explains that protecting nature and ensuring jobs for poor people are both very important.

It also talks about how the word 'poromboku,' which means commons in Tamil, has become a negative word, showing that society doesn't value nature and marginalized people enough.

The author says that the right to life and the right to equality, as stated in the Indian Constitution, are connected and should be protected.