SC upholds the verdict of the National Green Tribunal on Sterlite

Following the verdict of NGT, Tamil Nadu government  approached the Apex Court against the verdict of NGT. The Apex in its verdict on Tuesday upheld the verdict of the National Green Tribunal and stayed order of Madurai bench of Madras High Court banning sterlite copper plant.

The National Green Tribunal  set aside the Tamil Nadu government's order to permanently close Vedanta Ltd's Sterlite Copper plant, saying it was non-sustainable and unjustified.

A bench headed by NGT Chairperson A K Goel asked the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) to pass a fresh order for renewal of consent and authorisation to handle hazardous substances, subject to appropriate conditions for protection of the environment in accordance with law.

The Tribunal said that the restoration of electricity would be subject to the compliance of its directions on complying with its directions on Vedanta spending Rs 100 crore, offered by it, on projects like water supply, hospitals, health services and skill development in the area.

The Tamil Nadu government had, on May 28, ordered the state pollution control board to seal and "permanently" close the mining group's copper plant following violent protests over pollution concerns.

At least 13 people were killed and several injured on May 22, when police had opened fire on a huge crowd protesting against environment pollution allegedly caused by the plant.

In April, TNPCB rejected Sterlite's plea to renew the 'Consent To Operate' certification, saying the company had not complied with the stipulated conditions.