NGT notice to TN, state Pollution Board over closure of Sterlite copper plant at Tuticorin

A bench headed by Acting NGT Chairperson Justice Jawad Rahim issued notices to the state government and the pollution board seeking their responses before July 18 after Tamil Nadu raised preliminary objection with regard to the maintainability of the plea.

The green panel also permitted the state government to file a statement questioning the maintainability of Vedanta’s plea. Senior advocates C S Vaidyanathan and Rakesh Dwivedi, appearing for Tamil Nadu government, questioned the maintainability of the petition and said the company has already approached the Madras High Court and the NGT should not entertain the matter.

Senior advocate C A Sundaram, representing Vedanta, said the plea was filed to seek permission to enter the premises in wake of a leak in the sulphuric acid tank.