Vaiko welcomes state’s denial of Sterlite application

In a press statement, he said that the news of the state government denying permission for functioning of Sterlite Copper made him happy and the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) should be appreciated. He had been protesting for 32 years against Sterlite in various forms and managed to get the ban for Sterlite from Madras High Court in 2010. But the Sterlite Copper managed to get stay for the order in Supreme Court. 

However, recently the residents of Kumareddiyapuram and neighbouring villages started their indefinite protest against Sterlite and he became happy in knowing about the protest. In the meantime, the permission for Sterlite Copper plant had ended by March 31 and when it ended Sterlite Copper had applied for renewal which was rejected by the TNPCB. 

This should be seen as a success to the ongoing protest against Sterlite Copper and government should permanently ban Sterlite, added Vaiko. 

Earlier in the day, Vaiko met reporters in Theni and said that if India Based Neutrino Observatory (INO) is set up it might create problems at the international level. Countries like North Korea and cruel people like North Korean Dictator, Kim Jong Un, who had killed two of his own uncles right in front of him, will drop nuclear bombs on INO and it will ultimately affect the people of Tamil Nadu. 

He also said that apart from international threats, the environment of Western Ghats is also under threat as 11.25 lakh tonnes of rocks are going to be bombed out from Ambarappar hills. Also, according to government 3.5 lakh liters of water per day would be taken from the Suruli falls, near Theni, but the truth is that 12 lakh liters of water would be taken per day from Mullaiperiyar dam because from Suruli falls not even 1,000 liters of water can be taken per day, Vaiko added.