TEN REASONS WHY STERLITE PLANT SHOULD NOT BE CLOSED
In recent years, it appears that a practice of opposing every project and scheme is gaining strength in Tamil Nadu, which is a cause for concern.
The present agitation against Sterlite Copper at Tuticorin appears to be another instance of whipping up passion against project unjustifiably.
The following ten reasons should convince everyone why Sterlite project at Tuticorin should not be closed.
1. Not the only copper project in India
Sterlite produces copper metal from copper concentrate and similar projects are operating all over the world.
In India, the public sector undertaking Hindustan Copper operates copper mines and produces copper metal in Rajasthan, Jharkhand and other states. Birla Copper produces copper metal from copper concentrate in Gujarat.
Both these companies operate similar copper smelters, just like Sterlite at Tuticorin , with the capacity of Birla Copper Unit bigger than that of Sterlite.
Both the above plants are operating smoothly without any protest.
2. Not the only sulphuric acid plant in India
Sterlite operates sulphuric acid plant of capacity 12 lakh tonne per annum at Tuticorin.
More than one hundred sulphuric acid plants are operating in India, using the same process as that of Sterlite.
There are three other sulphuric acid plants operating in Tamil Nadu belonging to Green Star Fertilisers at Tuticorin, Coromandel International at Ennore , Chennai and Tanfac Ltd., at Cuddalore.
All the sulphuric acid plants in India including the three plants in Tamil Nadu are operating smoothly without any protest.
3. Court verdict
In 2009, Tamil Nadu government ordered closure of Sterlite plant due to public protest and alleged environmental violation. Supreme Court stayed the order and allowed the plant to continue operation.
In 2013, Supreme Court issued order to Sterlite asking it to pay rupees one hundred crore as penalty to Tamil Nadu government In five instalments. At the same time, Supreme Court allowed the plant to continue operation, obviously implying that the continued operations would not be a threat to environment.
Tamil Nadu government again ordered closure in 2013 when the matter was referred by Sterlite to National Green Tribunal. National Green Tribunal rejected the findings of the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board and said that whatever environmental issue attributed to Sterlite could have been caused due to other reasons and not operation of Sterlite . Sterlite was allowed to continue operation and the status quo is continuing.
Certainly, the verdict of the judiciary and tribunal should be accepted by all concerned , which is the only civilized form of sorting out issues.
4. Is Sterlite plant causing cancer ?
Unsubstantiated allegations are being made that operation of Sterlite plant is causing cancer to the residents , for which there is no basis.
Internationally, it is still a matter of research investigation on the contributing cause for the cancer occurrence and increasing incidents of cancer are being reported all over the world including USA and India.
There is no Sterlite plant operation in Chennai but incidents of cancer are reported in Chennai. There is no Sterlite plant operation in Bangalore but asthmatic complaints are reported in Bangalore. There is no Sterlite plant operation in Kolkata but skin ailment incidents are reported in Kolkata.
In the absence of credible scientific evidence, any spread of rumour about occurrence of cancer in Tuticorin due to Sterlite plant cause suspicion that such accusation may be motivated.
5. Is there emission from Sterlite plant ?
The protestors say that sulphur dioxide emission is taking place from Sterlite plant. Sterlite has denied this vehemently and pointed out that it has installed emission detecting instruments in the fences and they show no emissions beyond permissible level.
Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board operates “air care centre” at it’s headquarters in Chennai , from where it is monitoring round the clock by remote observation the emissions of all major industries in the state. If any emission would happen from any industry beyond permissible level, alarm is sounded in the air care centre and necessary action taken.
In the case of Sterlite , Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board has not reported any violation of emission standards at it’s air care centre by Sterlite in recent times.
6. Is there any contamination of ground water due to Sterlite operation?
No water from the process plant of Sterlite is discharged to any location outside the plant,
Sterlite operates on the basis of zero effluent discharge and the entire process water is treated and reused inside the facility for process operation.
7. Should factories be permanently closed due to isolated incidents?
Accidents do happen in any industry whether chemical, metallurgical, automobile, electronics etc. due to unforeseen reasons or in spite of best efforts or even laxity in operations. This is happening all over the world including developed countries. Even in a company like Du Pont in USA which is acclaimed for very high safety standards, accidents have happened in the recent past.
When the accidents happen , it need to be investigated, unit temporarily closed if necessary and corrective measures implemented before restarting the operations and compensation should be paid to the affected people.
If factories were to be permanently closed due to isolated incidents of minor or marginal accidents that happen once in a way, then no factory can operate anywhere in the world.
So many accidents take place due to air crash or on the roads and the railways. We do not stop flying or travelling in cars / buses/trains.
8. Can we afford loss of jobs ?
There are around one thousand people directly employed in Sterlite besides another one thousand contract labourers. Behind each one of the earning employee, there is a family of four to five people.
While we talk about joblessness in the country as an issue, who will give jobs for the people presently working in Sterlite and who will protect the economy of the families, in the event of closure of this unit? Why politicians and protestors are not concerned about them?
9. Why no consultation with Sterlite employees ?
There are many Sterlite employees living in the quarters provided by Sterlite. None of them have reported any discomfort.
There are many well qualified employees who are in the know of things and who are as much concerned about the welfare of the residents. Why no one has cared to ascertain the views of the employees and contract workers ,while demanding closure of the unit?
10. Should politicians and activists alone decide the fate of projects in Tamil Nadu ?
It is unfortunate that politicians and activists think that they can comment on any matter relating to technology practices and industrial operations in any field , though they may not have particular expertise in the area.
They seem to assume that they have the privilege to adversely comment on diversified fields such as nutrino project , nuclear power plants, crude oil exploration, transportation of natural gas by pipeline etc.
It is high time that they should be told that they should respect the views of scientists , technologists and engineers, who are also concerned about the national and social cause and are as much citizens of the country.
They should learn to respect the views of the experts and accept the decisions of tribunals and courts, instead of thinking that whipping up mob fury on any issue is appropriate.
It is also important that the government should refrain from playing to the gallery in tackling such protests and take a bold and pragmatic stand based on views of the experts. Ms. Jayalalitha did this in the case of the Koodankulam Nuclear Power plant, when she accepted the verdict of the experts and gave the green signal for the project.
N.S.Venkataraman more
The present agitation against Sterlite Copper at Tuticorin appears to be another instance of whipping up passion against project unjustifiably.
The following ten reasons should convince everyone why Sterlite project at Tuticorin should not be closed.
1. Not the only copper project in India
Sterlite produces copper metal from copper concentrate and similar projects are operating all over the world.
In India, the public sector undertaking Hindustan Copper operates copper mines and produces copper metal in Rajasthan, Jharkhand and other states. Birla Copper produces copper metal from copper concentrate in Gujarat.
Both these companies operate similar copper smelters, just like Sterlite at Tuticorin , with the capacity of Birla Copper Unit bigger than that of Sterlite.
Both the above plants are operating smoothly without any protest.
2. Not the only sulphuric acid plant in India
Sterlite operates sulphuric acid plant of capacity 12 lakh tonne per annum at Tuticorin.
More than one hundred sulphuric acid plants are operating in India, using the same process as that of Sterlite.
There are three other sulphuric acid plants operating in Tamil Nadu belonging to Green Star Fertilisers at Tuticorin, Coromandel International at Ennore , Chennai and Tanfac Ltd., at Cuddalore.
All the sulphuric acid plants in India including the three plants in Tamil Nadu are operating smoothly without any protest.
3. Court verdict
In 2009, Tamil Nadu government ordered closure of Sterlite plant due to public protest and alleged environmental violation. Supreme Court stayed the order and allowed the plant to continue operation.
In 2013, Supreme Court issued order to Sterlite asking it to pay rupees one hundred crore as penalty to Tamil Nadu government In five instalments. At the same time, Supreme Court allowed the plant to continue operation, obviously implying that the continued operations would not be a threat to environment.
Tamil Nadu government again ordered closure in 2013 when the matter was referred by Sterlite to National Green Tribunal. National Green Tribunal rejected the findings of the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board and said that whatever environmental issue attributed to Sterlite could have been caused due to other reasons and not operation of Sterlite . Sterlite was allowed to continue operation and the status quo is continuing.
Certainly, the verdict of the judiciary and tribunal should be accepted by all concerned , which is the only civilized form of sorting out issues.
4. Is Sterlite plant causing cancer ?
Unsubstantiated allegations are being made that operation of Sterlite plant is causing cancer to the residents , for which there is no basis.
Internationally, it is still a matter of research investigation on the contributing cause for the cancer occurrence and increasing incidents of cancer are being reported all over the world including USA and India.
There is no Sterlite plant operation in Chennai but incidents of cancer are reported in Chennai. There is no Sterlite plant operation in Bangalore but asthmatic complaints are reported in Bangalore. There is no Sterlite plant operation in Kolkata but skin ailment incidents are reported in Kolkata.
In the absence of credible scientific evidence, any spread of rumour about occurrence of cancer in Tuticorin due to Sterlite plant cause suspicion that such accusation may be motivated.
5. Is there emission from Sterlite plant ?
The protestors say that sulphur dioxide emission is taking place from Sterlite plant. Sterlite has denied this vehemently and pointed out that it has installed emission detecting instruments in the fences and they show no emissions beyond permissible level.
Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board operates “air care centre” at it’s headquarters in Chennai , from where it is monitoring round the clock by remote observation the emissions of all major industries in the state. If any emission would happen from any industry beyond permissible level, alarm is sounded in the air care centre and necessary action taken.
In the case of Sterlite , Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board has not reported any violation of emission standards at it’s air care centre by Sterlite in recent times.
6. Is there any contamination of ground water due to Sterlite operation?
No water from the process plant of Sterlite is discharged to any location outside the plant,
Sterlite operates on the basis of zero effluent discharge and the entire process water is treated and reused inside the facility for process operation.
7. Should factories be permanently closed due to isolated incidents?
Accidents do happen in any industry whether chemical, metallurgical, automobile, electronics etc. due to unforeseen reasons or in spite of best efforts or even laxity in operations. This is happening all over the world including developed countries. Even in a company like Du Pont in USA which is acclaimed for very high safety standards, accidents have happened in the recent past.
When the accidents happen , it need to be investigated, unit temporarily closed if necessary and corrective measures implemented before restarting the operations and compensation should be paid to the affected people.
If factories were to be permanently closed due to isolated incidents of minor or marginal accidents that happen once in a way, then no factory can operate anywhere in the world.
So many accidents take place due to air crash or on the roads and the railways. We do not stop flying or travelling in cars / buses/trains.
8. Can we afford loss of jobs ?
There are around one thousand people directly employed in Sterlite besides another one thousand contract labourers. Behind each one of the earning employee, there is a family of four to five people.
While we talk about joblessness in the country as an issue, who will give jobs for the people presently working in Sterlite and who will protect the economy of the families, in the event of closure of this unit? Why politicians and protestors are not concerned about them?
9. Why no consultation with Sterlite employees ?
There are many Sterlite employees living in the quarters provided by Sterlite. None of them have reported any discomfort.
There are many well qualified employees who are in the know of things and who are as much concerned about the welfare of the residents. Why no one has cared to ascertain the views of the employees and contract workers ,while demanding closure of the unit?
10. Should politicians and activists alone decide the fate of projects in Tamil Nadu ?
It is unfortunate that politicians and activists think that they can comment on any matter relating to technology practices and industrial operations in any field , though they may not have particular expertise in the area.
They seem to assume that they have the privilege to adversely comment on diversified fields such as nutrino project , nuclear power plants, crude oil exploration, transportation of natural gas by pipeline etc.
It is high time that they should be told that they should respect the views of scientists , technologists and engineers, who are also concerned about the national and social cause and are as much citizens of the country.
They should learn to respect the views of the experts and accept the decisions of tribunals and courts, instead of thinking that whipping up mob fury on any issue is appropriate.
It is also important that the government should refrain from playing to the gallery in tackling such protests and take a bold and pragmatic stand based on views of the experts. Ms. Jayalalitha did this in the case of the Koodankulam Nuclear Power plant, when she accepted the verdict of the experts and gave the green signal for the project.
N.S.Venkataraman more
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View all 13 comments Below 13 comments
The situation in Tamil Nadu is going from bad to worse. Any and everything is being politicised. Now you have actors jumping into the fray in whipping up passions and creating pandemonium in an otherwise chaotic State of Tamil Nadu. Both the parties are a total disaster for Tamil Nadu. If this state of affairs continue, Tamil Nadu will lose out on Potential investors coming here. Good help Tamil Nadu,. more
Apr 06
In the absence of any valid data on occrrene of cancer or any other ailments to the people such allegations need to be ignored! more
Apr 05
All who are blaming the writer here can read, articles SIMILAR to http://www.siotw.org/news_english.item.144/germany-will-become-islamic-state-says-merkel.html I am not naming any country. But you can understand who are those "TWO" hidden sources financing ALL these agitations from abroad One aiming the full world, as explained in the article, and others who have taken aim towards India because they think money buys everything here! India was like that no doubt till some time back. But now it is changing more
Apr 05
Despite the Koodankulam protest the project is gaining from strength to strength . There it was evident that the Russian know how gaining importance in India irked the other super power. Nothing could be done about the Kalpakkam as it has become time tested . Late President Abdul Kalam himself had siad that Koodankulam project was safe.
Now why not a committee of experts give their opinion to put to rest all the doubts and restlessness. more
Now why not a committee of experts give their opinion to put to rest all the doubts and restlessness. more
Apr 05
CONGRATS TO NSV FOR A DETAILED AND CLEAR ANALYSIS OF THE 'STERLITE PROBLEM'. THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT THIS MOVEMENT, TO SCUTTLE THIS PROJECT - IS BEING SPEARHEADED BY SOME VESTED INTERESTS BY WHIPPING UP UNWARRANTED FEARS. IN FACT, THIS PROJECT WAS SANCTIONED, WHEN CONG (I) WAS IN POWER AT CENTRE, DMK WAS IN POWER IN TAMIL NADU & WHEN CPI(M) WAS PARTNER IN THE CENTRAL GOVT COALITION : ETC ETC. STILL WE FIND THAT THE MAJOR MOVERS OF THIS AGITATION AT TUTICORIN ARE FROM LEADERS OF ALL THESE PARTIES WHICH CLEARLY SHOWS THAT THIS IS NOT AN ISSUE BASED FIGHT BUT IS JUST TO WHIP UP LOCAL UNREST. IT WOULD NOT TAKE MUCH TIME FOR THE STERLITE TO CLOSE THIS PLANT LIKE NOKIA DID NEAR CHENNAI BUT, HAS ANYBODY THOUGHT OF CONSEQUENCES..??.. THE AGITATION LEADERS WOULD HAVE OTHER MEANS OF INCOME BUT THE ORDINARY WORKERS WOULD BE IN THE STREETS IF THE PLANT CLOSES DOWN..!!.. HOPE CENTRAL GOVT TAKES SOME QUICK ACTION TO "PROD THE DUMB TAMILNADU GOVT TO MOVE DECISIVELY IN THIS MATTER AND ARREST ALL THE AGITATION LEADERS AND SAVE TUTICORIN AND ITS PEOPLE. more
Apr 05
Well written. I have one doubt. I understand they don't discharge effluent into ground as a matter of design. But is there any possibility of absorption of effluent by ground from their effluent tanks. Suppose the effluent is stored in a cement tank on the ground. Is the floor properly insulated to prevent effluents from leaching into the ground and reaching ground water tables? (Since I am a layman, I may not be using the correct terminology). more
Apr 05
