Panel to decide on reopening Sterlite factory: NGT

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has ordered the setting up of a committee to decide on the reopening of the Vedanta Ltd.-owned Sterlite Copper factory in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, after the company challenged the state government’s closure order in May. The tribunal said the committee should be headed by a retired judge and two members from the Central Pollution Control Board and the Ministry of Environment and Forests.

Its decision after six weeks will be implemented by the parties concerned such as the pollution control board unless any affected party litigates against the decision with the tribunal. On that basis, the tribunal disposed of Sterlite’s petition.

In a statement, Sterlite Copper said, “We welcome the Honourable NGT’s decision to set up a credible mechanism in the way of an independent committee that will consider the technical data required, assess the situation technically and provide its report in the next six weeks. We are pleased that the NGT has again reiterated that access to the administrative units of its plant should be given to our employees. Additionally, we also welcome the NGT’s decision that findings and recommendations of the committee will be final, which will supersede all the orders passed by the Tamil Nadu government so far.”