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In a move that will further delay the reopening of Sterlite Copper’s smelter plant in Thoothukudi, the Tamil Nadu government on Wednesday approached the Supreme Court, challenging the National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) order allowing the facility to be reopened.
Citing the appeal by the State government, the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) declined to consider the renewal of consent to operate the plant applied by the Vedanta Group.
The NGT, which heard an appeal by Sterlite against the plant’s closure, on December 15, ordered the plant’s reopening and directed the company to spend ₹100 crore over three years on the welfare of the residents of the area.
Vedanta’s appeal was against TNPCB orders dated April 9, April 12 and May 23, 2018, and the Tamil Nadu government’s order of May 28, under the provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
These cover rejection of consent to operate and eventual closure of the plant.
Following the NGT’s mid-December order, Sterlite had approached the TNPCB for renewal of consent to operate.
However, the TNPCB today declined to consider it.
The Tamil Nadu government and the TNPCB have filed an appeal before the Supreme Court challenging the orders of the NGT. The request for the issue of Authorisation under Hazardous Wastes Rules maintenance therefore cannot be considered, said a letter from Shambhu Kallolikar, Principal Secretary/Chairman, (FAC), TNPCB, to Vedanta.
The company had also sought consent to open the seal of the premises, restore electricity supply and provide immediate access to the plant for carrying out urgent care and maintenance.
Mention by Governor
The Sterlite issue was also mentioned today by Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit in his customary address to mark the opening of the Assembly session.
Observing that the copper plant had failed to comply with environmental norms, he said the State government would appeal against the NGT order.
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