Pulling up officials of the Central and state governments for giving clearance and consent to Sterlite Industries (India) Limited without following the mandatory provisions of law, the Madras high court on Tuesday ordered the immediate closure of its copper smelting plant in Thoothukudi.

Allowing the petitions filed by the national trust for clean environment and MDMK general secretary Vaiko in 1996, a division bench, comprising Justice Elipe Dharma Rao and Justice N. Paul Vasanthakumar, said the employees of Sterlite Industries were entitled to compensation from the company.

Expressing concern over Mother Nature being “tarred”, the bench said, “With the ongoing activities of the company, not only the area gets polluted, but would have direct impact on the safety, security and the health of the workers. No doubt, with the order of revoking the licence, the workforce in the company would lose their livelihood.

But, we are constrained to take this decision, owing to the voluminous materials available on record about the negative impact of the running of the industry at the place and in the manner it is being run,” the bench added. The bench said that non-application of mind on the part of the authorities was clear in this case.

Sterlite reacted with caution to the crippling verdict from the court. While stating that it would take “necessary recourse measures” after examining the court order, the company in a release said the plant had been operating for over 12 years and was in compliance with the necessary rules and regulations.

source: Deccan Chronicle

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