NGT orders reopening of Vedanta copper plant, TN govt to move SC

New Delhi, December 15

The National Green Tribunal on Saturday set aside the Tamil Nadu government’s order to permanently close mining company Vedanta Ltd’s Sterlite Copper plant, saying it was “non-sustainable” and “unjustified”.

A Bench headed by NGT Chairperson A K Goel asked the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) to pass a fresh order for renewal of consent and authorisation to handle hazardous substances, subject to appropriate conditions for protection of the environment in accordance with law within three weeks from Saturday.

The tribunal allowed the appeal of the company challenging closure of its Sterlite Copper plant in Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu.

The Tamil Nadu government had, on May 28, ordered the state pollution control board to seal and “permanently” close the mining group’s copper plant following violent protests over pollution concerns.

At least 13 people were killed and several injured on May 22, when the police had opened fire on a huge crowd protesting against environment pollution allegedly caused by the plant.

In April, TNPCB rejected Sterlite’s plea to renew the ‘Consent to Operate’ certification, saying the company had not complied with the stipulated conditions.

Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu government said it would challenge in the Supreme Court the NGT order setting aside the closure of the Vedanta Ltd's Sterlite Copper plant in Tuticorin on pollution grounds in the wake of protests by locals. PTI