Sterlite Copper on Tuesday said it has filed an appeal before the National Green Tribunal (NGT), New Delhi, challenging the orders passed by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board directing the closure of its copper smelter unit at Thoothukudi in the State.
In a brief statement, the company said it had also sought the NGT’s permission to allow it to carry out “care and maintenance of the plant and other interim reliefs,” during the pendency of the appeal. It is learnt that in the petition, Vedanta Ltd, the parent company of Sterlite Copper, has sought a direction to restrain the Tamil Nadu government from preventing or interfering with the functioning and operations of the company in any manner. It prayed to declare as unlawful and illegal the exercise of powers by the State government in passing an order closing and sealing the copper smelter unit under the Water Act.
In another prayer, the company urged the tribunal to direct the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board to consider Vedanta’s applications for renewal of consent afresh and pass appropriate orders within one month, granting the consent letter for a period of five years.
Vedanta sought permission to operate the copper smelter pending consideration of its appeal. It further sought a direction to the TNPCB and Tangedco to restore and provide minimum power supply, water and manpower access for safeguarding the emergency systems of the plant.
The company said the factory housed various chemicals, resins and fuels and that the sudden closure of the plant posed a threat to the surroundings and the plant and machinery.