Over 1.6L petitions seeking reopening of Sterlite submitted

As many as 1,500 people from Thoothukudi, belonging to different walks of life, staged a demonstration at Chepauk, pressing their demand. 

They hailed from Milavittan, Pandarampatti, Therku Veerapandipuram and Kumareddiapuram. The group included former permanent and contract employees, lorry drivers, suppliers, small-business owners, Sterlite CSR beneficiaries, farmers and agricultural labourers.

S Ganesan, a farmer from Udangudi, told DT Next that farmers and agricultural labourers are one of the biggest beneficiaries of the company’s corporate social responsibility initiatives.

He pointed out that thousands of farmers like him have been dependent on the plant. “Over 45,000 families are benefited indirectly. 

Every year, the company used to desilt the water channels carrying the Tamirabharani water to our fields. However, that activity has taken a hit over the last few months due to the plant’s closure,” Ganesan said.

“Moreover, we depend on the Sulphuric acid and fertilizer products like SSP, black DAP and NPK mix the plant supplies,” he said, adding that the price of fertilizers has increased manifold.

S D Ponraj, an ex-Panchayat president, said there is very little commercial activity in the area apart from the salt pans. “The copper unit ensured a livelihood for the residents and turned Thoothukudi into a commercial hub. We had a thriving food, transport and lodging industry, while several small-time vendors and businesses flourished,” he said.

“The politically-motivated closure after the incitement of violence has taken away all of it. Our progress and prosperity have been stalled by a group with ulterior motives.” he added.

The Supreme Court has ruled in favour of the plant and the government should immediately take steps to ensure it is adhered to without much delay, Ponraj stressed.

Minister for Information and Publicity Kadambur C Raju on Wednesday said the State government cannot take a policy decision on permanently shutting down the copper plant as the issue is currently in the court

Speaking to newspersons in Virudhunagar, the minister reiterated that the government will not permit the reopening of the Thoothukudi plant. “We will wait for the next outcome of the court proceedings and then take a further course of action. Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami is firmly opposed to reopening Sterlite,” he said.

Later, addressing reporters in Sivakasi, the minister said the government will challenge the Madras High Court order permitting it to distribute the Pongal gift of Rs 1,000 only to those below the poverty line. 

On new films releasing for Pongal, Raju said: “We will allow special shows if prior permission is sought. There will be no partiality in this regard. However, appropriate action will be taken if the movie tickets are sold at exorbitant prices.”

A penalty of Rs 50,000 would be imposed on a theatre owner if he violates the rule for the first time. A second-time offender would be fined Rs 1 lakh. The theatre license would be cancelled if the owner does it for the third time, he said, adding that all the district administrations have been directed to monitor the pricing of movie tickets.