The growing agitation and death of 13 people in police firing in the last two days in Thoothukudi, has raised question marks over the fate of Sterlite Copper smelter plant.
In an interview, P. Ramnath , Chief Executive Officer, Sterlite Copper, said there were enough indications early on that the May 22 protest would not be peaceful and blamed external forces for inciting the people in Thoothukudi. He also said exiting the State is not on cards, and the company will pursue the legal route.
The protests were peaceful during the first 100 days and things turned the other way around suddenly on May 22. What led to it?
In run up to the May 22, sufficient evidence and warning was given through social media, posters, pamphlets that it was not going to be a peaceful protest.
There were so many social media messages which were inflammatory. There have been posters all over the place showing the plant burning. They made it clear May 22 was going to be the last day for Sterlite Copper, that’s what they kept on saying.
From the press we got to know the police and the sub-collector called the protestors to hold a peace meeting and lay down the ground rules. And they were allotted a ground for holding the protest peacefully.
One faction agreed, and the other, did not. Therefore the violent protest happened and what followed is very, very unfortunate. The shootings, probably could have been avoided. That is something the police and administration has to take care off.
We condone the act of violence to our own premises, like our own people were attacked. In our own township people have come and they burnt vehicles. Nearly 15-20 vehicles have been burnt. The diesel generator set was completely damaged. And thankfully they have not entered the houses and tired to assault the people. That is something which we are thankful about. We are also thankful that till date there is no attack on the plant and the other premises. So, hopefully things will calm down in next few days. So, we are hoping for the best.
So who are these protesters and why are they calling to shut down the plant?
Our plant has been shut down for maintenance. In the last 5-6 years, there has been absolutely no incident. It is running absolutely smoothly. Suddenly these issues crop up from nowhere. So, that’s where we feel that some kind of an instigation has happened. ; there are some external factors which have come in.
Normally, the public won’t react to this extent. There is some catalyst to it. So we really feel there is some external catalyst, which is adding fuel and ensuring that the fire keeps burning. These are elements that have come in and they are making use of the situation to further their own agenda.
It can be NGOs getting foreign funding for destabilising local industries is a common knowledge. Very recently several NGOs have been de listed and all their contributions have been de listed. There are several NGOs which are in operation who are getting funds from abroad and possibly some of the funds are being directed to these kinds of activities.
Some body should get into the details because this is a very serious matter where a company has invested so much - over ₹ 500 crore - into environmental measures and we have ensured that global experts come in and we abide by all standards. The Pollution Control Board also regularly keeps coming in and takes samples and records all data. which is available.
Your views on the Madras High Court order asking you to stop expansion and also the controversy over public hearings not held before expansion?
The Court order was based on the urgent motion moved by R. Fathima. And we were not even given an opportunity to give an rejoinder or give our side of it. And when we tried to give our part of the story it was not accepted. That is something which we will have to take up for the phase 2 expansion.
From our side, when we have been allotted the land by SIPCOT and this land was acquired in 2005, I think. So that’s where we are saying that because of the Environmental Impact Assessment notification that any land acquired prior to 2006 need not go through the public hearing process.
That is how we started and that is how we put it forward to the The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) and got the environmental clearance. So, now off course there are giving a different spin to it.
That is something we need to take it up with the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court. They have cut of the power today and that also we need to take it up. Right now the plant is under maintenance and shut down.
So as of now, that does not really make that kind of an impact. We have to take up the issue, as on June 6 we have got the case coming up in the Appellate Tribunal. We have to see how it goes from there.
What do you think is the immediate solution for you now?
The solution is legal at this point of time.
If things don’t change will you consider looking at an alternate destination for investments?
We have not even thought about it. Twenty years ago we came down to Tuticorin and set it up for a reason, that reason continues. For the second plant also we had an option of moving to any other state but we decided to be here itself. That continues and that does not change as of now.
Do you think issues like this will hamper the investment climate in the state?
In 2015 we had a Global Investment Meet and MoUs worth several crore were signed. We did not sign an MoU but we were ready to open a second plant. The state had very good intentions to develop the Madurai – Thoothukudi corridor- They rolled out some special incentives too for the southern districts, land at low prices, tax waivers etc.
With this kind of climate already industries are moving to Sricity and out of state and that will be a tragedy for Tamil Nadu. All the momentum built will be lost.
How do you plan to handle the negative impact about the company and the brand after this incident?
Over the years we have had the practice of inviting sections of the society to visit our plant every Saturday and answering their queries. Even during the recent protests, we invited environmentalists and villagers to visit the plant but they did not turn up. They cannot have it both ways.
Either they should come and discuss with us and tell us what is wrong. We can take some steps to rectify it. But, sitting back and saying everything is wrong does not help. We want allay the fears of people and are open to meeting and discussing with them.
