HC orders issue of notice to Government on proposal to close Tamil Nadu Cement Factory

MADURAI: The Madras High Court today ordered issue of notice to the government on a PIL filed against the proposed decision to close Tamil Nadu Cement Factory in Alankulam in Virudhunagar district.

The petitioner KS Radhakrishnan, DMK spokesperson, submitted that the factory is running smoothly and earning profits. However, the state government, "in a sudden move", is proposing to close and sell the factory and its properties, both movable and immovable.

Besides, the government did not act to update technologies in the factory. Hence, it was necessary to direct the government to update the technologies at the TANCEM and to stop the proposal to close or selling it to private firms, he submitted.

He submitted that he had submitted a representation to the government on the matter on February 12 this year. But there was no action on it, he said.

The division bench comprising justices S Tamilvanan and VS Ravi ordered issue of notice to the Chief Secretary, Industry Secretary and TANCEM Managing Director and adjourned the case.