The National Green Tribunal today allowed UK-based Vedanta Group company, Sterlite Industries Ltd, to commence operation of its copper plant in Tuticorin district of Tamil Nadu.
A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar made it clear that Sterlite's unit will start operating in the presence of a committee set up by the tribunal.
The four-member panel will comprise Member Secretary of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), a member or engineer from Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) and two members of IIT, Madras who were part of a panel set up earlier by Chennai bench of NGT.
The committee will meet in a week's time and in its presence Sterlite's unit will began operation.
The bench also observed in its order that the May 29 closure order of TNPCB directing closure of the Sterlite plant was passed in an abrupt manner based on mere apprehension of leakage of gas, without any scientific data to support the same.
"A mere apprehension would not be sufficient for passing such drastic orders," the bench said.
"No scientific data, analysis, etc, has been placed before us to show emission in excess of prescribed parameters" continued between March 23 to March 29, the bench also said.
The NGT also said that the timing of the complaints against Sterlite and the alleged leak of gases "are not compatible to draw a conclusion that industry was offending."
It also said that "in the facts and circumstances of the case, it is difficult to accept the contention" of the TNPCB that Sterlite's plant was shut down as a precautionary measure.
The industry was allowed to operate for six days after the alleged incident of gas leakage on March 23, the bench also noted.
"This (TNPCB order) was not a precautionary measure but per se punitive," the bench said.
