Madras HC stay on TN order cancelling land for Sterlite expansion

Justice V Parthibhan ordered notice to the State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu (SIPCOT) chairman, seeking his explanation by October 25 and posted the case for hearing on that date. Government advocate S Angappan took notice on behalf of the SIPCOT chairman and other officials. 

The judge said it appeared that the chairman had passed the “impugned order out of haste disregarding the established legal norms that normally followed in such matters ostensibly on the basis of public perception”. 

Petitioner Satyapriya, an official of the Vedanta Ltd, (Sterlite Copper Unit) at SICOT Industrial complex, submitted that the Centre had given formal approval to the firm’s proposal for development, operation and maintenance of the sector specific special economic zone. “The chairman can cancel the allotment only if there was non-compliance of terms and conditions of the allotment order or lease deed, including non-payment of dues,” it was submitted.