SC allows Sterlite oxygen plant to operate in view of national need

The Supreme Court on Tuesday allowed Vedanta to operate its closed oxygen plant at Thoothukudi, saying the order has been passed in view of ‘national need’ for oxygen and there should be no ‘political bickering’ over the generation of the gas by the company as the country is facing a ‘national crisis.’

The apex court made it clear that Vedanta shall not be allowed to enter and operate its copper smelting plant under the garb of this order and that permission to operate oxygen plant would not create any equity in the company’s favour. A bench of Justices D Y Chandrachud, L Nageswara Rao and S Ravindra Bhat directed the Tamil Nadu government to form an oversight committee to oversee the functioning of the plant which would include District Collector and Superintendent of Police (SP) of Thoothukudi, District Environmental Engineer, Sub-Collector and two government officials. The bench asked Vedanta to submit a list of technical and non-technical staff to the committee who are essential to run the oxygen plant. It said the order allowing Vedanta to operate its oxygen plant would be in operation till July 31, 2021 after that it will assess the ground situation of the pandemic.

While submissions were being made raising various issues connected with the plant, the bench said “we are in a national crisis today where people are dying due to the lack of oxygen.” “There cannot be political bickering in this Court. We are in a national crisis, we have to support nation as a court. Its a national calamity.” it said. The top court also directed the Ministry of Environment and Forests to form a three-member panel of environmental experts from Tamil Nadu. “The victims of the Vedanta crisis can choose two out of them to be in the committee. If the victims fail to nominate such members within 48 hours, the State should nominate the members,” it said.