Green Tribunal adjourns Sterlite plea against plant closure to April 12

The National Green Tribunal has adjourned to April 12 hearing of a petition moved by Sterilite Industries against the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board's order to close down the company's Tuticorin plant for posing health hazards.

The Vedanta Group company sought a stay on the TNPCB's closure order, which was issued on March 30, following protests by locals who were affected in the wake of alleged gas leak.

MDMK has been spearheading the agitation demanding permanent closure of the plant.

The Bench, comprising Justice M Chockalingam and professor R Nagendran, adjourned the hearing after MDMK Chief Vaiko pleaded permission to implead himself in the case and sought time to present his views on the Vedanta Group plant.

Sterlite Industries, however, said its plant has adhered to required safety norms and posed no health hazard.

The Supreme Court last week asked the company to pay Rs 100 crore compensation for polluting the environment through its copper smelting plant but refused to direct its closure.

The court's judgement would, however, have no bearing on Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board's (TNPCB) direction on shutting down the plant.

With inputs from PTI