MDMK to challenge Supreme Court order on Sterlite Industries

CHENNAI: MDMK today said it would challenge the Supreme Court's order asking Sterlite Industries, a subsidiary of UK-based Vedanta Group to pay Rs 100 crore as compensation for polluting the environment and vowed to continue its fight against restarting of operations.

The Apex Court, while directing Sterlite to pay the amount as compensation, had however refused to direct its closure.

"We were staging a battle and we will continue to do so. I will file an appeal in the Supreme Court", a party statement quoted Vaiko as having told reporters in Delhi today.

The MDMK leader recalled that Maharashtra had cancelled the license of Sterlite Industries plant in Ratnagiri district a few years ago after villagers damaged the facility. "In Tamil Nadu we did not indulge in such activities. We were fighting for peace in a non-violent way".

Alleging that a large number of people had been affected by cancer and other diseases and thousands of acres damaged because of the plant, he sought to know why lives of the local people should be endangered just to bring revenue to the Government (through the plant).

He claimed that Supreme Court's order would not control the closure notice given by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board on March 30.

The Apex Court had refused to direct closure of the plant and had set aside the Madras High Court's 2010 order on closing it down.