The Supreme Court (SC,) on the 27th of April, permitted the opening of Vedanta’s Sterlite plant in Tamil Nadu. The approval came after the Vedanta Limited Sterlite Copper Plant offered to help in the production of oxygen to fight the Novel Coronavirus or COVID-19 situation.
Recently, the authority of the Vedanta Limited Sterlite Copper plant met Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K. Palaniswami, offering help. In regard to this, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister conducted an all party meeting. Held on the 26th of April, the meeting was attended by main opposition Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leaders and other officials. During the meeting, the Tamil Nadu Government decided to allow Vedanta’s Sterlite Industries in Tuticorin to produce oxygen for a four month period.
In 2018 May, the State Government ordered the 400,000 tonne per annum Sterlite copper smelter in Tuticorin to close due to concerns about pollution. A protest demanding the closure of the plant was carried out in which 13 people died. A week after the death of people in the protest, the Tamil Nadu Government announced the closure of the plant for the alleged pollution.
However, due to the current situation where India is struggling to have Oxygen for COVID-19 patients, the Government accepted the offer and allowed the production. However, the State needed an approval of the SC, which came a day after the State Government’s permission.
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On the 27th of April, the Supreme Court (SC) judge D.Y. Chandrachud reviewed the matter and gave approval. He said, due to the natural calamity of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Vedanta Sterlite plant of Tuticorin district would be allowed to produce oxygen.
Justice D.Y. Chandrachud said, “We are only allowing the running of the oxygen plant.” The SC Judge further said, “We are in a crisis. There cannot be political bickering in this court. We are in a national crisis. We have to support the nation as a court.” However the court clearly mentioned that the allowance is only for oxygen production. The court said, “Vedanta shall not be allowed to enter and operate copper smelting plant under the garb of this (today’s) order.”
In the duration of four months the plant would repair and operate oxygen producing and related equipment only. The Sterlite Copper plant has one of the largest oxygen facilities in the country at Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu.
Appearing for Vedanta, senior lawyer Harish Salve told the Supreme Court, “We’ll run only oxygen plant and not power plant. Electricity will be provided by the State.”
The Apex Court also formed a committee headed by Tuticorin collector to oversee the production of oxygen. It asked the committee to carry out a safety audit before starting the production unit.
The production of oxygen is expected to begin in 10 days and would continue for a four month duration as of now.
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