Tamil Nadu govt forms panel to monitor reopening of Sterlite Copper Plant in Thoothukudi for oxygen production

The Tamil Nadu government has formed a committee to monitor the reopening of the Sterlite Copper Plant in Thoothukudi. Earlier this month, the SC allowed the plant to reopen for four months to produce medical oxygen.

Vedanta Limited has been granted temporary permission by the Tamil Nadu government to operate the oxygen generation unit inside the premises of its Sterlite Copper Plant in Thoothukudi. This permission will be valid till July 31 of this year. Following directions in this regard by the Supreme Court, the Tamil Nadu government has also written to the authorities concerned, asking them to sensitise officials. Earlier this month, the SC allowed Vedanta to temporarily reopen the plant in light of the Covid-19 crisis and shortage of medical oxygen. Necessary clearances for Vedanta's Sterlite Copper Plant must be expedited as per the norms to get the oxygen generation unit inside the plant operational, said the Tamil Nadu government.