Vedanta Resources faced pressure from investors and activists at its annual general meeting in London on Tuesday, as over 12 per cent of the shareholders voted against the pay arrangements for top executives.

The company also faced questions about its environmental and safety track record.

According to figures published by the company, 12.34 per cent voted against the directors’ remuneration report, published by the company's remuneration committee headed by Naresh Chandra.

The total remuneration for executive and non-executive directors including bonuses rose to £4.4 million in the year ending in March from £3.9 million the year before.

Chairman Anil Agarwal's remuneration rose to just over £2 million.

Over the years, the AGM has become a focal point for activists, who accuse the company of environmental and human rights violations and this year was no different. Among those condemning the company's track record was activist Bianca Jagger. Others raised questions about the company's management of the Dongria Kond dispute, and the impact of the Goa operations. Stephanie Myers of Aviva Investors also expressed concern about the impact the disputes were having on the company's share price.

Around 70 protestors gathered outside the meeting in the Lincoln Centre in London, as part of wider action against the company that took place in Britain, Zambia, and India.

Some carried signs with pictures of those who died in the 2009 collapse of the Korba chimney, while two dressed in suits spilled red paint over a woman covered by a white sheet.

Anil Agarwal told shareholders that it was a “transformational year” for the company, which completed the takeover of Cairn India and generated a rise in revenues of 23 per cent over the course of the year ending in March.

He expressed “great sadness” over the 22 fatalities that took place within the company over the year, adding that safety was a top priority for the group.

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