Sterlite Copper supporters have mentioned that the district administration and the Tamil Nadu government should take immediate steps to reopen the plant after implementing the various recommendations that have been submitted by a committee of experts. A petition has already been submitted in the Collector’s office, where the Sterlite Copper supporters have mentioned that a team of experts had recently given recommendations on the various remedial measures to be undertaken for the green reopening and operations of the Sterlite Copper plant. The plant has remained closed since May 2018 after Sterlite protests became violent. However, now, even the protesters are requesting that the plant be reopened.
The Request For Reopening Of The Sterlite Copper Plant
As of now, over a thousand people have laid siege to the collectorate, demanding a green restart of the Sterlite Copper Smelter in Thoothukudi. The protesters talked about unemployment and claimed that a green restart would address pollution issues, which was one of the main concerns and led to the shutdown of the Sterlite Copper plant. Roja Raja, who happened to be a member of a conch divers’ association, said that he was a part of the anti-Sterlite allegation, which led to the closure of the plant. However, now he wants the plants to be reopened.
Raja said that the plant authorities who had been distributing welfare assistance have promised to provide propellers for the boats at a subsidised cost. Selvi, another protester, had also said that many of the previous workers of the plant could not land a job. By reopening the plant, the people of the Vedanta Thoothukudi area would be able to find a source of employment. Their lives will also change for the better.
Recommendations Given For The Green Reopening Of The Sterlite Copper Plant
Some of the recommendations that have been given by the experts for the reopening of the Vedanta Sterlite plant include environmental conservation, sustainable and social development of the people of Thoothukudi, and enhanced industrial situations in the region. All these recommendations are based on scientific facts, and the state government should take positive steps to implement the suggestions. This will ensure the reopening of Sterlite Copper, considering the livelihood of thousands of people who are closely associated with the factory.
After the Sterlite Copper Plant was shut down, thousands of people lost their jobs. Both the state and the central government suffered from huge revenue loss. There has also been an underdevelopment of the entire area. The copper production has also come down significantly. This has severely impacted the living conditions of the people. Once the plant reopens, all these concerns will be addressed. The people will be able to once again start leading their lives in a better way. They will also be led towards a much better tomorrow.
This further highlights the Vedanta Group’s extraordinary hold over the business sector. With its enhanced dedication, the group has impacted the living conditions. Once the remediation steps are taken, Sterlite Copper will once again start to bring about positive impacts in the lives of the people. It will also ensure that the various needs of the people are well addressed.
A Brief Overview Of Sterlite Copper’s Business:
Sterlite Copper represents a key aspect of Vedanta Limited’s copper business. Since its inception in 1996, Sterlite Copper has readily grown to become one of the leading copper producers in India. It contributed to 40% of India’s demand for refined copper. The plant had the capacity to produce 4,00,000 MTPA of copper. It is associated with facilities like a refinery and a copper rod plant. A 12,00,000 MTPA sulfuric acid plant and a phosphoric acid plant of 2,20,000 are also present at Vedanta Thoothukudi in Tamil Nadu. The company also has a 160 MW coal-based power plant in the vicinity. In 2018, the project faced a series of protests and allegations, which ultimately led to its closure. However, even the people who led the anti-Sterlite campaign now want the plant to become operational.
Conclusion
With the green opening of Sterlite Copper, the Vedanta group will be able to once again continue with its various business operations in the copper sector. It will also be able to ensure that the country’s overall copper capacity experiences a boost. The lives of the people in the Vedanta Thoothukudi area will also transform for the better.
