The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has ruled against granting permission to Sterlite Industries Ltd, which is a unit of UK-based Vedanta Group, for beginning operations at its copper smelting plant in Tuticorin district of Tamil Nadu.

A bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar noted that the expert committee report has clarified that the emission levels and ambient air quality remain under prescribed levels but said that the permission to start operations cannot be given due to reports of a gas leak from the plant.

“We have perused the report. It appears that the stack and ambient air quality are within prescribed parameters. The counsel for Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) and interveners contend there have been instances of gas leakage. Therefore, despite the report, there is no justification for vacation of stay,” the bench said.

Sterlite had approached the tribunal for a stay on an order by Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) for closure on of the plant and the disconnection of power supply to its unit. The company is seeking to start operations claiming that it is incurring a loss of Rs. 5 crore per day. Counsel for TNPCB has argued that the appeal is maintainable as the company should have approached the state appellate authority against the orders of the pollution control board.