HC directs Centre, TN govt to reply to plea on Sterlite plant

The Madras High Court today directed the Centre and Tamil Nadu government to file their response by June 7 on a petition seeking to restrain Vedanta group's Sterlite Industries copper smelter plant from operating in Tuticorin district, citing environmental concerns.

When the matter came up before a bench of justices C T Selvam and A M Basheer Ahmed, the Tamil Nadu government's counsel submitted that permission for expansion of the unit has not been given and the permit for the functioning of the factory had expired.

The bench then posted the case for June 7.

The matter relates to the petition filed by MDMK chief Vaiko seeking to restrain Sterlite Industries copper smelter plant from operating in Melavattan in that district.

Vaiko contended that the factory had caused pollution and affected the health of the people, and also farming.

The PIL comes in the backdrop of protests by locals in and around the plant, demanding its closure on ground that it allegedly caused pollution, a charge rejected by the company.