SC refuses stay on NGT order to reopen Sterlite

New Delhi, January 8

The Supreme Court today refused to stay the National Green Tribunal’s order of setting aside the Tamil Nadu Government’s decision to close Vedanta’s Sterlite copper plant at Tuticorin.

A Bench headed by Justice Rohinton F Nariman, however, asked Vedanta to respond to the state government’s appeal against the NGT order to reopen the plant. The Tamil Nadu Government on January 2 challenged before the Supreme Court the NGT’s verdict setting aside its order to close Vedanta’s Sterlite copper plant at Tuticorin.

Thirteen persons were killed and many injured in May last year in police firing on those protesting against pollution allegedly caused by the plant. The NGT has “erroneously” set aside orders passed by Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board last year and directed it to pass fresh orders of renewal of consent and issue authorisation to handle hazardous substances to Vedanta Limited. — TNS