SC extends stay on operation of Sterlite's Tuticorin plant

The Supreme Court today extended a stay on the operation of Sterlite industries' plant in Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu and issued notices to state and central governments as also the pollution control authorities to explain the basis of action taken against the company.

Sterlite's operations will continue till the second week of December when the court will take up hearing in the case again.

The Supreme Court also asked the centre and the Tamil Nadu government as also the pollution control authorities to explain why action was taken against the company.

Sterlite, in its plaint, has said that the Madras High Court ordered closure of its plant in Tuticorin despite compliance with green norms.

A bench comprising justices R V Raveendran and H L Gokhale directed both parties to file replies within two weeks.

The court also directed Sterlite Industries, a subsidiary of UK-based Vedanta Resources, to produce reports of National Environmental Research Institute (NERI) by the next date of hearing.

The bench also directed the company to file an affidavit detailing the steps taken by the company for disposal of solid waste from its copper smelting plant.