Page 38 - June2018

• Going legal Vedanta vows to legally
challenge any attempt to close the plant,
says India unit chief P Ramnath

powers after complying with the “due
process requirements.” The industry
though it adds to economic activity has
no right to destroy ecology, degrade the
environment and pose a health hazard.
Experts agree that if the Tamil Nadu
Board’s closure order is challenged
in court, the test would be whether
the principles of natural justice were
observed by the Board before the exer-
cise of its power.
But for industrialists across the
state, it is akin to the Nandigram
moment after TN government ordered
a permanent shutdown of Sterlite plant
at Tuticorin. This is one decision that
can hurt the case of Tamil Nadu when
investors gather for the Global Inves-
tors’ Meet in 2019. Instead of closing
the company down, the government
Government order directing a perma- should have come out with alternative
nent closure of the plant in Tuticorin Protesters are arrangements so that the interests of
is something that the protesters and opposing the all the stakeholders were served. But
activists worry about and has the DMK now who will look after the people who
working president MK Stalin reading a proposed expansion lose jobs at Sterlite factory, questioned
hidden message of the government to of the plant arguing an industrialist, a member of a cham-
the management to “now go and get ber preferring anonymity. For sure, the
court orders against this.” that it is being confidence of the industry is dented.
Stalin described the government done in violation Industrialists, already wary of coming
order as a ‘drama’ and an ‘eyewash.’ If to Tamil Nadu, would prefer not coming
this decision had been taken without of environmental here at all as the Sterlite affairs send out
the ‘killing’ of 13 lives, the government’s norms a big negative signal to investors, rued
good intention could have been appre- another industrialist.
ciated. But that was not the case and The industry is of the opinion that a
this laid bare the government’s real development. We will study the or- commercial issue was politicised and
concerns and its ulterior motives, Stalin der and decide on the future course the company, even if erring, was given
said, echoing the sentiments of other of action.” death sentence. Now the country will
opposition leaders as well. Earlier, in Legal experts were divided in their have to import copper, he said.
2013 too, the government ’s decision to opinion on the maintainability of the In fact, Sterlite Copper plant
close the Sterlite plant was an ‘eyewash,’ government order that was issued executives were fearing that the pro-
he said. without following due procedures and tests were not going to be peaceful and
But Rajinikanth, actor-turning to said the courts granting relief to the felt that ‘external forces’ could incite
politics, described the closure order as ‘aggrieved’ company was a real possi- people of Tuticorin. But as the company
a victory. The company for the record bility too. can hardly exit the state, it will fight it
said, “closure of Sterlite Copper plant is Environmental lawyer MC Mehta out legally. So, the last on the matter has
an unfortunate development, especial- felt that the TN government had slept not yet been heard and the issue will be
ly since, we have operated the plant for over for many years and acted only battled out in courts, here in Tamil Nadu
over 22 years in most transparent and when there was bloodshed. But, the and at the Apex court in New Delhi.
sustainable way, contributing to the pollution board, former solicitor gen-
Tuticorin and State’s socio-economic eral, Mohan Parasaran, felt exercised its letters@tehelka.com

Tehelka / 15 june 2018 38 www.Tehelka.com

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