NGT orders reopening of Vedanta's copper plant, TN govt to approach SC

The NGT has asked Vedanta to spend Rs 1 billion within a period of 3 years for welfare of the inhabitants in the area

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Saturday set aside the Tamil Nadu government’s decision to shut down the Vedanta group’s Sterlite Copper plant at Toothukudi, terming it “non-sustainable and unjustifiable”. The tribunal also directed the state pollution control board to pass a fresh order of renewal of consent, paving the way for reopening the plant, which caters to 35-40 per cent of the country’s copper demand. 

The renewal of consent by the pollution control board is an authorisation for the firm to handle hazardous substances.

The NGT order comes after a three-member committee constituted by it to look into the allegations