Plea filed against Vetrivel Explosives

While revenue officials planned to withdraw the cancellation with certain riders, villagers have approached the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court for a stay and plan to hold a meeting on  Saturday. 

After the explosion in the factory, the district administration had cancelled its licence and asked the management to shut the unit permanently as it had failed to adhere to norms. 

Later, the factory management had urged the court to direct the district revenue officials to revoke the ban and restore its licence. Subsequently, the court had directed District Revenue Officer (DRO) A Basheer to make a spot visit and submit a report to it on March 23 explaining the feasibility of restoring the licence. 

In his report, he recommended that the licence be restored with conditions, including returning encroached land, restricting its functioning time and getting a clearance from the Pollution Control Board. 

However, news about the possible restoration of the factory’s licence created a flutter among the locals who they approached the Madurai Bench and prayed for a stay. It will be heard on Monday. Meanwhile, the villagers have scheduled a meeting to discuss the next course of action.