VCK slams SC nod for oxygen production at Sterlite plant

Verdict against the welfare of Tamils, says Thirumavalavan

Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) president Thol. Thirumavalavan on Tuesday said the Supreme Court verdict permitting production of medical oxygen at Vedanta’s sealed Sterlite Copper plant was against the interest and welfare of Tamils. Speaking to reporters in Villupuram, Mr. Thirumavalavan said State government had also failed to project its actual requirement of medical oxygen before the apex court. All the details the government had furnished to the Centre were not placed before the Supreme Court, he said. “The Centre on the one hand was claiming that there was no shortage of oxygen as it had sufficient stock. Then why did it come forward for the production of oxygen in the closed Sterlite plant? This must be properly explained to the people,” he said. Mr. Thirumavalavan said the State government had been contending that its requirement was 450 MT of oxygen while the production was 400 MT, resulting in shortage of 50 MT.