TN allows Sterlite to produce oxygen

CHENNAI: An all-party meeting convened by the Tamil Nadu government on Monday resolved to allow Vedanta’s Sterlite Industries in Tuticorin to produce oxygen for a fourmonth period amid surging covid cases, paving the way for the partial reopening of the copper smelter closed in 2018 over pollution concerns.

Responding, Vedanta said it was committed to making the entire production capacity of 1,000 tonnes available for the purpose of producing medical grade oxygen and that it was working to dispatch it to critical areas in the state on priority.

The copper unit was sealed by the state government in May 2018, days after 13 agitators were killed in police firing during a violent anti-sterlite protest in the southern district.

On Monday, the Chief Minister K Palaniswami-chaired meeting, attended by main opposition party DMK among others, resolved to allow Sterlite produce oxygen from its plant in Tuticorin, days after Vedanta moved the Supreme Court in this connection.

“As per the Supreme Court directive, power supply may be allowed for Vedanta’s Sterlite Industries in Tuticorin for four months to repair and operate oxygen producing and related equipment only,” the meeting resolved.

The period may be extended later but “at no cost” shall other activities like copper manufacturing and running the co-generation plant shall be allowed and the “power supply shall be cut after this period (four months) by TANGEDCO,” it added.

Tamil Nadu should get priority in the oxygen being produced here and it shall be taken to other states only after meeting its requirements.

A committee comprising the

District Collector, Superintendent of Police, TNPCB environmental engineer from Tuticorin, government officials experts in oxygen production, local residents, NGO members and activists opposed to the plant will monitor the production of oxygen and also decide on running the unit, it said.

Only technicians “directly involved” in oxygen-making will be allowed entry into the plant with due permission slips while the government will ensure appropriate safety measures.

On Friday, the apex court had said people were dying due to lack of oxygen and questioned the Tamil Nadu government as to why it cannot take over the Sterlite copper unit for producing oxygen to treat Covid-19 patients.

THE COPPER UNIT WAS SEALED IN MAY 2018 AFTER 13 AGITATORS WERE KILLED IN POLICE FIRING DURING A VIOLENT ANTISTERLITE PROTEST