SURVIVING DESPITE VIOLATIONS
Sterlite has flouted all the rules in the book but stayed afloat by manipulating authorities
1992:
Sterlite first proposed a copper smelting plant in Maharashtra and was allotted 202 hectares in Ratnagiri
1993:
A Maharashtra state government committee finds that the plant poses a danger to people and livelihood. District collector stalls the construction
1994:
Tamil Nadu allows and the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) issues an NoC with a condition that the plant should be 25 km from the Gulf of Mannar, an eco-sensitive zone. It also asked Sterlite to conduct an Environment Impact Assessment (EIA)
January 1995:
The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) issues environmental clearance to Sterlite. No EIA submitted by Sterlite till then
May 1995:
TNPCB issues a Consent to Establish allowing Sterlite to start construction. It also asked the company for a rapid EIA. The plant is constructed 14 km from the Gulf of Mannar
1996:
TNPCB issues the plant a licence to operate under the conditions that the factory does not contaminate ground water and air and the Sterlite develop a green belt of 25 m around the factory
November 1998:
Madras High Court directs the National Environmental Engineering Institute (NEERI) to study the environmental impact of the plant. NEERI finds that Sterlite has flouted a series of environmental regulations. Madras High Court orders a shutdown
December 1998:
Madras High Court modifies its earlier order and directs NEERI to conduct another study
February 1999:
NEERI recommends the factory to be run at full capacity and a detailed EIA to be conducted
March 1999:
TNPCB gives clean chit to Sterlite on complaints of local residents regarding health impacts due to gas leaks and allows it to increase capacity from 40,000 tonnes to 70,000 tonnes
July 2003:
Sterlite submits EIA after a delay of nine years
September 2004:
Supreme Court Monitoring Committee (SCMC) inspects Sterlite and recommends that permission to expand production for the plant should not be given
September 2004:
MoEF allows Sterlite
to expand capacity
November 2004:
TNPCB says Sterlite illegally producing copper, more than double the amount it was licensed to
2005:
MoEF, SCMC ask TNPCB to allow Sterlite to operate despite the violations
September 2010:
Madras High Court orders Sterlite shutdown in 1996 case
October 2010:
Supreme Court stays the Madras High Court order
March 2013:
TNPCB orders another shutdown of the Sterlite as people complain of a gas leak that caused suffocation, coughing and eye problems. Sterlite challenges the order saying the other factories are causing the pollution. The closure is revoked
April 2013:
Supreme Court delivers the final judgement, accepting that Sterlite polluted Thoothukudi. But the apex court does not shut the plant on account of its effect on the economy and jobs. It fines Sterlite R100 crore
April 2018:
TNPCB declines Sterlite a renewal of its consent to operate based on its violation of environmental norms
May 23, 2018:
TNPCB orders disconnection of power and water supply to Sterlite and Madras High Court stays the expansion of the plant
May 28, 2018:
The Tamil Nadu government orders permanent shutdown of the plant