TN Govt doubles solatium to anti-Sterlite protest victims

The Tamil Nadu Government on Sunday doubled the solatium to families of the 13 people killed in police firing last week during antiSterlite plant protests, from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 20 lakh.

The solatium for those seriously injured has also been increased to Rs five lakh from Rs three lakh and for those with minor injuries, to Rs 1.50 lakh from Rs one lakh.

An official release quoting Chief Minister K Palaniswami said he issued the orders to increase the solatium (from the earlier amounts announced on May 22) after considering requests to the government from various sections and to the Commission of Inquiry probing the violence.

The months long protests demanding closure of UKbased Vedanta Ltd, SterliteCopper Smelting plant over pollution concerns turned violent last week, prompt- ing police to open fire, killing 13 persons.

The state government constituted a Commission of Inquiry, headed by retired Madras High Court Judge Aruna Jagadeesan, to probe the violence.

Normalcy returned to Tuticorin on Sunday after authorities lifted prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC.

Meanwhile, DMK Working President M K Stalin on Sunday urged the Tamil Nadu Government to immediately convene a cabinet meeting and adopt a resolution seeking closure of the copper smelting plant in Tuticorin.

DMK's stand on the issue is that a cabinet meeting be called immediately and a resolution seeking closure of the Sterlite plant should be adopted, he said.

"The resolution should also be passed in Assembly," he told reporters here. After a brief budget session in March, the Assembly is scheduled to meet again from May 29.