The Supreme Court on Monday extended to February 25 the interim stay granted by it on the closure of the Vedanta Resources Group's Sterlite Industries' copper smelter at Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu.
The apex court was hearing a petition filed by Sterlite, the country's largest copper producer, against a September 28 order of the Madras High Court to immediately shut the smelter for violating pollution-control and environment regulations. The apex court had granted the interim stay on October 1, 2010. Sterlite claims that it had complied with the green norms and opposes charges on contamination.
The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board and the Central Pollution Control Board informed the apex court on Monday that the company has not met certain environmental norms, including on solid waste disposal measures and development of green belt.
The court asked the company and the Ministry of Environment and Forests to file their response. The matter will be heard again on February 25.