Tamil Nadu Govt Allows Reopening Of Thoothukudi Sterlite Copper Plan For Oxygen Manufacturing

The Tamil Nadu government on Monday (26 April) gave permission for the reopening of the Sterlite Copper plant in Tuticorin for the production of oxygen for a period of four months, Livemint has reported.

This decision was a result of a meeting chaired by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami, after Vedanta moved the Supreme Court to permit the opening of the plant to manufacture oxygen.

"As per the Supreme Court directive, power supply may be allowed for Vedanta's Sterlite Industries in Tuticorin for four months to repair and operate oxygen producing and related equipment only", the Palaniswami chaired meeting concluded.

The meeting added that copper smelting activities at the plant will not be allowed at any cost.

The Tamil Nadu government had ordered the closure of the copper smelter plant in 2018 following a violent protest that led to the death of 13 persons.

The 400,000 tonne Sterlite copper smelter plant that has been operating in Tuticorin for over 25 years with a cumulative investment of about Rs 3,000 crore.

The Supreme Court is hearing the case on an appeal filed by the company against the Madras High Court's refusal to reopen the Sterlite copper smelter plant in Tuticorin.

The next hearing in the Supreme Court will be held in August.

With Inputs From IANS