After Public Outage, Tamil Nadu Govt Orders Permanent Closure Of Sterlite Plant

Chennai: Six days after 13 people were killed during a violent protest, the Tamil Nadu government issued a Government Order (GO) to the State Pollution Control Board, for permanent closure of Vedanta’s copper plant.

“It is brought to the notice of the Government that Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board did not renew the Consent to Operate to M/s. Vedanta Limited, Copper Smelter Plant, SIPCOT Industrial Complex, Thoothukudi District in its order dated 09. 04.2018. Subsequently, on 23.05. 2018, Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board has also issued directions for closure and disconnection of power supply to the Unit. The power supply has been disconnected on 24.05.2018. Under Article 48-A of the Constitution, the state shall endeavour to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country,” the Tamil Nadu Government said in the statement.

The people of Thoothukudi have been protesting against construction of the copper plant. On May 22, when the protests entered the 100^th day, it turned violent, which led to the death of 13 persons.