M K Stalin demands policy on closure of Sterlite factory

CHENNAI: Leader of the opposition M K Stalin on Thursday raised the issue of the Madras high court seeking the government's view on not taking a policy decision on shutting down Sterlite factory, in the state assembly. The government remained silent, sticking to its stand that the matter was sub judice and cannot be discussed in the assembly. But, speaker P Dhanapal allowed Stalin to raise the issue and said the court had not criticised the government, only sought its opinion and it would reply shortly.

"The HC bench has sought the opinion of the government and this is what the DMK and other opposition parties have been insisting too - to either take a cabinet decision on shutting down the factory permanently or pass a resolution in the assembly. If the government is sincere about shutting down the factory, it has to have a policy," said Stalin. But the speaker said the opposition leader had already spoken on this issue in the assembly. "The government will reply to the high court on June 22 when the case comes up for hearing again," said the speaker.