SC Refuses To Stay NGT Order To Reopen Sterlite Plant

NGT had set aside the state govt’s order for closure of the Sterlite copper plant, saying it was “non sustainable”.

The Sterlite Copper Plant was shut down after people took to the streets complaining that the effluents from the factory was causing cancer and polluting the groundwater.

(Photo: Altered by The Quint)

The Supreme Court on Tuesday, 8 January, refused to stay the green tribunal's order of setting aside the Tamil Nadu government's decision to close Vedanta's Sterlite copper plant at Tuticorin.

A bench, headed by Justice R F Nariman, sought response from Vedanta on the state government's appeal against the National Green Tribunal's (NGT's) order to reopen the plant.

The state had moved the top court, saying that the NGT had “erroneously” set aside various orders passed by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) last year with regard to the Sterlite plant.

It had said the tribunal had consequentially directed the TNPCB to pass fresh orders of renewal of consent and issue authorisation to handle hazardous substances to the Vedanta Limited.

On 15 December 2018, the NGT had set aside the state government's order for closure of the Sterlite copper plant, saying it was "non sustainable" and "unjustified".