TNPCB refuses RoC to Sterlite citing TN appeal in apex court

In his reply to Vedanta’s letter on December 19, 2018, seeking issue of Renewal of Consent under Water and Air Acts and authorisation under Hazardous Waste Rules as well as to open the seal of the premises, restore electricity supply and provide immediate access to the plant for carrying out urgent care and maintenance, TNPCB Chairman Shambhu Kallolikar said the Tamil Nadu government and theTNPCB have filed an appeal before the Supreme Court challenging the December 15 order of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) allowing re-opening of the plant.

‘’Hence your request for the issue of renewal of consent to operate, authorisation under Hazardous Waste Rules and opening of the premises for maintenance cannot be considered,” he said.

It may be recalled that based on the recommendations of the expert committee headed by Tarun Agarwal, the NGT had on December 15 ordered opening of the plant. Passing orders on an appeal filed by the Vedanta Limited against the Tamil Nadu Government Order to close down the plant, a bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel had set aside the GO and termed the closure as unjustifiable.

It also directed Vedanta to utilise Rs 100 crore over the next three years for the welfare of the inhabitants of the port city.

The bench also directed the TNPCB to pass fresh order of renewal of consent for the Sterlite plant and said the company was also entitled for restoration of electricity for its operations. It also said the company should comply with the suggestions put forth by the NGT-appointed committee, while directing it to deposit Rs 25 crore for inappropriate handling of copper slag. Following, this the state government on Wednesday filed an appeal before the Supreme Court challenging the NGT order.

Govt should table White Paper, says Krishnaswamy
Puthiya Tamizhagam founder K Krishnaswamy demanded the state government to submit a White Paper on the environmental impact caused by Vedanta owned Sterlite Copper unit in Thoothukudi.

Talking to media in Coimbatore, on Wednesday, “The state government should conduct a detailed study to gather information on pollution factors and health concerns raised by certain organisations due to the presence of copper smelter plant and issue a White Paper.”

His stance on the Sterlite issue comes following a representation made by raw material suppliers and contract workers of the plant to Krishnaswamy, a former MLA of Ottapidaram constituency, where a part of the closed unit is located. In their petition, they claimed that more than 50,000 workers were affected due to the closure of Sterlite.

In the petition, they claimed that, “While the court has ordered in our favour, the state government should come forward to open the plant, which is the lifeline of Thoothukudi district’s economy. Certain organisations triggered public protests by spreading falsehood and shut the plant.”

On receiving their petition, Krishnaswamy said it was believed that Sterlite causes pollution to air and groundwater and also leads to cancer among people living in the neighbourhood.

“The government should prepare a health index of people by studying incidents of cancer, pregnancy and childbirth ratio, cancer, TB, allergy and cancer among local people before and after the start of Sterlite in 1996. The study should be done with a scientific approach and issue a white paper,” he added.

Krishnaswamy also said that a similar scientific study should be done on the impact of fire cracker units in Sivakasi and release a white paper on this issue too. “Only such a scientific approach will provide a solution to issues arising out of industries in Tamil Nadu,” he said.