Supreme Court Allows Vedanta To Undertake Activities For Sterlite Copper Plant Upkeep; Order Comes After Row Over Governor's Remarks That Protests Were Foreign Funded

The Supreme Court has allowed Vedanta Group to undertake activities such as the evacuation of remaining gypsum, removal of industrial waste to avoid environmental degradation, and maintenance of the green belt at the Sterlite copper plant in Thoothukudi.

Earlier, the state government had permitted the District Collector to undertake the above-mentioned works through a communication from the Additional Chief Secretary on 6 March.

However, it did not allow activities like a civil and structural safety integrity assessment study on the plant premises or the removal of equipment and raw material.

Last year, the High-Powered Committee constituted by the Tamil Nadu government to carry out a 'civil and structural safety integrity assessment study' submitted a report that said that were serious structural defects.

Vedanta's counsel said that the company was willing to undertake works to repair the structural defects at its own costs.

Senior Advocate CS Vaidyanathan, who appeared for the Tamil Nadu government said that Vedanta's proposal would be considered and the government would take a decision regarding the works for which permission has not been granted.

The Supreme Court then scheduled the next hearing on 4 May and asked the state government to inform the Court of its decision on that day.

This comes after a row that erupted recently over Governor RN Ravi's remarks that the protests against the Sterlite copper plant were foreign-funded.

Governor Ravi said, "It was entirely foreign funding activities that led to the protest. Unfortunately there was police firing that cost innocent lives. That is the very sad part of it. But they wanted Sterlite to be closed. Sterlite was providing 40% of the country’s copper needs. And you know how important copper is for the electronics industry.”

In another important development, the Home Ministry recently said that it was looking into allegations of violation of the Foreign Contribution (Regulatory) Act (FCRA) by 'The Other Media', i.e., the NGO that carried out the protests.

The supporters of the protest contend that the copper plant had been harming the environment of the region and causing health issues.

The Sterlite copper plant, owned by the Vedanta Group was shut in 2018, after the death of 13 persons in police firing.

Also Read:  In Numbers: What Was Lost With Closure Of Sterlite Copper In Tuticorin

Thoothukudi Sterlite Copper Closure: Many Protesters Now Feel Misled; Want Reopening Of Plant