Mired in controversy in recent days, Sterlite
Industries Limited’s copper smelter in Tuticorin was shut down (March 30, 2013).
Operations in the plant came to a standstill in the wake of an order from the
Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board. Tuticorin Collector Mr. Ashish Kumar
instructed officials to inspect the Vedanata group company to make sure that
the production lines remained shut. The closure order has come after a gas leak
was reported.
Following emission of sulphur
dioxide from Sterlite, people in the neighbourhood experienced unease and
complained of suffocation, sneezing and burning sensation in the eye.
TNPCB revealed that Sterlite
Industries violated the norms of The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution)
Act, 1981. On March 23, 2013, the release of SO2 at stack level (chimney level)
from the plant was 2900 PPM (parts per million), whereas the permissible level
is only 1250 PPM.
Activists protesting against the functioning
of the copper smelter celebrated the shutdown, but the company insisted that it
had been in operation for 17 years with all requisite clearances and approvals.
It said it would explain the factual position to the TNPCB and cooperate fully
with the authorities so that it could restart operations soon.
Calling it a victory for the
local population, Mr. Vaiko, general secretary, MDMK, in a statement thanked
Chief Minister Jayalalithaa for her decision to close down the smelter. He
termed Sterlite as a ‘noxious industry’ causing harm to the lives of people.
Pollution in all forms from Sterlite and its baneful effects impacted the
livelihoods of farmers, fishermen and traders as farm lands turned unproductive
and groundwater and seawater became unusable.
Online comments for the action:-
After a long struggle by
People of Southern Districts of TN and particularly by MDMK and its Chief Vaiko,
the Tamil Nadu Government has done the right thing. Besides, mass agitations, Vaiko
resorted to legal recourse also. The final verdict is about to come in the
month of April'13 in Supreme Court. Industrialization is must for development;
but at the same time, the interest of agrarian economy has also to be taken
into consideration. In this particular STERLITE Industries Case, the effluent
level is beyond tolerable limit. Kudos to TN Government and to Vaiko, for his
unrelenting fight.
Even though it is too late,
it is good to close the industry which pollutes the environment. It is to be
noted that this industry was not given permission to start its operation in North India .
PROJECT FACTFILE
|
|
Foundation stone laid
1994
|
Production started
1996
|
Initial copper production
56000 tonnes
|
At present
400000 tonnes
|
Work force (regular)
1000
|
Contract workers
3000
|
Indirect workforce
20000
|
Existing plant site
600 acres
|
Exports (Domestic)
60%
|
Exports (Intl)
40%
|
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