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Sterlite case proof of state’s failure: Opposition
DMK, Congress blame government for not protecting people’s interest, stage walkout.
By
migrator
migrator
Chennai
The state government has failed to take appropriate action in Sterlite issue resulting in the Supreme Court ruling in favour of the copper plant, alleged the opposition party DMK and staged a walkout from the Assembly on Tuesday.
DMK president MK Stalin intervened in the address of Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami when the issue of Sterlite cropped up in the Assembly. Stalin said, “As the government failed to fight for the interests of the state in the Sterlite issue, we are walking out of the Assembly.”
DMK was soon followed by the Congress. Congress legislature party leader KR Ramasamy, said, “Condemning the state government for the failure in Sterlite issue Congress MLAs will also stage walkout.”
Kadaiyanallur MLA Muhammed Abubacker of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), who is also in alliance with the DMK, too staged walkout but not over the Sterlite issue. Abubacker said, “People of Tenkasi and Kadayanallur constituency were eagerly expecting the announcement of formation of a new district by carving out of Tirunelveli district, with Tenkasi as headquarters, but as there was no such announcement, I am disappointed and so I am walking out of the Assembly”.
After they walked out, Palaniswami said that the opposition parties decided to stage walkout and so by quoting lame reasons they are going out.
“As far as Sterlite issue is concerned, the Supreme Court has given the judgment only now and we have to receive the judgment copy. The state government will continue to fight against Sterlite,” said Palaniswami.
He also said that Government Order (GO) for setting up Sterlite plant was passed during the DMK regime back in 1996 and when several cases were filed against Sterlite Copper, including the case filed by MDMK leader Vaiko, the DMK argued in favour of the company in the court.
Disheartening, say protesters; districts on alert
The Supreme Court’s order refusing to stay National Green Tribunal’s order, which earlier allowed Sterlite Copper to resume operations, has evoked mixed reactions in Thoothukudi on Tuesday.
The district administration is put on alert in the wake of the order, to prevent any untoward incident. Adequate police force has been deployed for the purpose. The Collector too said it is not going to be reopened immediately.
Fathima Babu, an anti-Sterlite protester, said it was not a lasting solution for people, but still many approaches were available. Talking to reporters, she said the state should immediately convene a high level meeting to hear opinions of the anti-Sterlite protesters. “Whatever it may be, we will not let Sterlite to reopen,” she said.
Meanwhile, welcoming the apex court order PSTS Velshankar, president, Tuticorin Stevedores Association, said it has sent a good signal to the industry body and a talisman for future industrialisation as many ancillary industries had been relying on Sterlite.
The logistics industry was hit hard following the closure and around 10,000 workers had been rendered jobless.
M Krishnamurthy, another protester, said, “The outcome was disheartening for people of Thoothukudi. This plant was closed down several times and reopened and it’s no exception this time. Despite stressing the need for taking policy decision for Sterlite’s permanent closure, the state had simply ignored our concerns. Since the government did not handle this issue efficiently in the court of law, the Supreme Court order came in favour of Sterlite.”
JP Joe Villavarayar, president, Tuticorin Ship Agents Association, said that only when Sterlite was reopened the local economy would rebound.
Thoothukudi Collector Sandeep Nanduri said that the copy of the Supreme Court order is yet to be received and the district administration would consult legal experts to take up next course of action.
However, the court did not order to reopen the plant immediately.. The case filed by the state challenging any reopening would soon come up for hearing in the court. As of now, no action has been taken to reopen the plant, the Collector said.
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