Page 134 - CW E-Magazine (27-2-2024)

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RAY OF HOPE?
Supreme Court proposes expert panel to inspect

Vedanta copper plant in Tuticorin

The Supreme Court has proposed a
panel of domain experts to inspect the
closed Sterlite copper unit in Thoothukudi,
Tamil Nadu. The plant has been closed
since May 2018 after 13 people were
killed in protest over alleged pollution
caused by it. While making the observa-
tion, the court said shutting down a plant
of “national importance” will not serve
anybody’s purpose.

A three-judge bench, headed by Chief
Justice of India (CJI), D.Y. Chandrachud,
stressed the need to balance national
assets with environmental considerations.
“Country should not lose its assets, but
the environment needs to be adhered to. vate interest of an industry, and employ- can then do something. And rest as-
The copper plant is a necessity for the ment of several people, a way forward sured that any stringent condition that
nation. There are very few copper has to be found out. you (Tamil Nadu) want us to put, we
smelters in the country,” Justice Chandrachud are more than willing to put in that
said. “So how do we fi nd a way forward? order, which protects interest of both
You know, we have to fi nd some way for- sides. The community must have the
The top court sought input from ward... The easiest thing in the world for confi dence,” the CJI said.
Vedanta, the Tamil Nadu Government, and them and for us is to shut down a plant.
the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board You (Tamil Nadu and TNPCB) also ex- The court may request the expert panel,
(TNPCB) on the proposed expert panel. plore what should be the best modalities representing both sides, to provide a
While it clarifi ed it couldn’t grant per- to subserve the public interest,” the bench report within four weeks on pollution and
mission for the interim refurbishment of said. environmental norm compliances. Fol-
the plant, it emphasised that as the matter lowing this, the plant could be considered
pertains to the state’s public interest, pri- “Come back tomorrow so that we for reopening.

WATER POLLUTION
GPCB directs Jayant Agro to cease operations

at Dhanora plant

The Gujarat Pollution Control Board cited violation of certain provision of Water understand the reasons behind the direc-
(GPCB) has directed Jayant Agro-Orga- (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, tion and to seek a resolution in the most
nics Ltd., a leading manufacturer of castor 1974 and rules framed there under. The effi cient and transparent manner possi-
oil and its derivatives, to cease operations company, in response, said it is “studying ble….. Our commitment is to safeguard
of its plant at Dhanora, Gujarat within 15 the Order and shall act appropriately on it.” the interests of our shareholders and up-
days from the order date in light of vio- hold the highest standard of corporate
lations of pollution control norms. The “Our team is actively engaged in governance,” a statement from the
GPCB in its order dated February 17, working with the GPCB to thoroughly company said.

134 Chemical Weekly February 27, 2024

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