PMK youth wing leader Anbumani Ramadoss on Tuesday alleged that the State government had not provided adequate evidence to suggest that the recently announced shutdown of the Sterlite Copper plant in Thoothukudi was permanent and final.
Separately, VCK founder Thol. Thirumavalavan highlighted how the Government Order did not list any reasons [for closure] or provide evidence of pollution caused by the plant.
In a statement, Mr. Ramadoss said it was not easy to shut down an industrial unit.
“A one-paragraph G.O. is not enough. The Sterlite plant has not followed any of the regulations prescribed by the TNPCB since its inception in 1994. This could have been cited to shut down the plant,” the PMK leader said.
‘Diversionary tactic’
“Several accidents have taken place at the Sterlite plant and many have died as a result. Many have been suffering from cancer as a result of breathing polluted air. These should have been listed down with evidence,” he said.
Mr. Thirumavalavan said the G.O. had been published only to divert attention.
“It merely diverts the attention of the protesters and the Opposition parties and allows the plant to get the G.O. quashed in the courts,” he added.
