PTI, NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal today sought the response of the Tamil Nadu government and the state pollution control board on mining major Vedanta’s plea challenging the state’s order to permanently shut down its Sterlite copper plant in Tuticorin.
At least 13 people were killed and several injured on May 22 when the police had opened fire on a huge crowd of people protesting against environment pollution being allegedly caused by the factory.
Today, a bench headed by Acting NGT Chairperson Justice Jawad Rahim issued notices to the state government and the pollution board seeking their responses before July 18 after Tamil Nadu raised preliminary objection with regard to the maintainability of the plea.
The green panel also permitted the state government to file a statement questioning the maintainability of Vedanta’s plea.
Senior advocates C S Vaidyanathan and Rakesh Dwivedi, appearing for Tamil Nadu government, questioned the maintainability of the petition and said the company has already approached the Madras High Court and the NGT should not entertain the matter.
Senior advocate C A Sundaram, representing Vedanta, said the issue in the High Court was different and it was filed to seek permission to enter the premises in wake of a leak in the sulphuric acid tank. He sought a direction to complete maintenance activities in the premises and permission for the representatives to access the administrative building.
