Tamil Nadu: As per media reports Sterlite Copper, the Vedanta Group’s copper smelter plant in Thoothukudi, was sealed on Monday evening, shortly after the Tamil Nadu Environment and Forests Department issued a two-page Government Order for its “permanent” closure.
The decision to close down the factory comes against the backdrop of the killing of 13 persons in police firing at an rally a week ago. The protesters were raising concern over pollution caused by the factory
The order said, “Under Sections 18(1)(b) of the Water Act 1974, in the larger public interest, the government endorse the closure direction of the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) and also direct the TNPCB to seal the unit and close the plant permanently.”
It pointed out that the TNPCB did not renew the Consent to Operate to Vedanta Ltd.’s copper smelter plant in its order dated April 9, 2018. Vedanta termed the decision “unfortunate.”