THOOTHUKUDI: Much has been said about the Thoothukudi firing. But activists are still not happy with the manner in which the closure was done. Following the killing of 13 protesters on May 22, the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) issued directions for closure and disconnected power supply to the copper smelter unit on May 24.
The Consent To Operate (CTO) was rejected in view of non-compliance to the TNPCB norms and conditions, with the major violation cited being the dumping of 3.51 lakh tonnes of copper slag on the bank of Kombadi jungle stream at Pudhukottai.
On May 28, the government issued a GO to close down the plant. But despite the government’s assurances, activists are skeptical of permanent closure of the unit as the seal has been broken to gain access to the unit after a sulphuric acid leak was detected.
Many leaders, such as Vaiko, have stated that a mere GO cannot ensure permanent closure of the multi-crore copper smelter. They have demanded a policy decision. Speaking to Express, advocate Ram Kumar Adityan said that the GO can be easily stayed as the health impact alleged by the public due to the operations of the copper smelter had not yet been proved.
Anti-Sterlite activist Thamil Maanthan said the public hasn’t believed the arguments put forth by the government that the GO itself is a result of a policy decision. “A policy decision by the cabinet will detail the future course of industrial development in the State, while restricting such copper smelters through a Special Act,” he said. “A special act enacted by the Sharad Pawar government showed the exit door to Vedanta from Rathnagiri district of Maharastra in 1992.”