UK opposition party wants Vedanta to be delisted from LSE over Tuticorin issue
London, May 26: Following the death of 13 people in police firing in anti-Sterlite protest in Tuticorin, the UK opposition party has called for delisting of Vedanta from the London Stock Exchange.
The Tuticorin copper smelter is run by Indian subsidiary Vedanta Ltd's Sterlite Copper unit.
"The news from Tamil Nadu that 13 people protesting against Vedanta have been killed is shocking and demands action. This is a major multinational company that for years has operated illegal mining concerns, trashing the environment and forcibly evicting local people," said John McDonnell MP, Labour's Shadow Chancellor,in a statement on Friday adding that campaigners and international NGOs like Amnesty International have accused Vedanta of a string of human rights and environmental abuses in India, Zambia and across the globe
"After the massacre of the protestors this week, regulators must now take action. Vedanta must be immediately delisted from the London Stock Exchange to remove its cloak of respectability, restore confidence in the governance of the Stock Exchange, and prevent further reputational damage to London's financial markets from this rogue corporation," he added.
The Madras High Court on Wednesday ordered a stay on the expansion of the copper plant.
But the Union Environment Ministry had given clearance to the controversial Sterlite plant in Tamil Nadu's Tuticorin or Thoothukudi after getting a go-ahead from the state pollution control board, an official said on Friday, dismissing the allegations that the Central government had directly cleared the copper smelting unit.
"No unit can operate in India, primarily, without the environmental clearance by the local pollution control board and this forms the basis for us to give environmental clearances," the official said, requesting anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the media over the issue.
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Chartered Speed, EKA Mobility to deploy 1,750 electric buses in Bengaluru
Bengaluru (PTI): Chartered Speed Limited and EKA Mobility on Wednesday secured a Letter of Confirmation of Quantity for the deployment of 1,750 electric buses here, officials said.
The development marks a significant milestone in strengthening sustainable public electric transport infrastructure in one of India’s major metropolitan regions.
According to Chartered Speed Limited, a leading player in passenger bus mobility services, the allocation accounts for nearly 39 per cent of Bengaluru’s planned induction of 4,500 electric buses under the PM E-Drive Scheme, underscoring the company’s role in advancing the city’s public transport electrification efforts.
Bengaluru has emerged as one of India’s leading cities in electric public transport adoption, with the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation steadily expanding its electric bus network in line with Karnataka’s clean mobility vision and the Centre’s decarbonisation roadmap, the company said in a statement.
Emphasising that safety remains a core pillar of its EV operations, Chartered Speed Limited said it follows structured safety protocols, including preventive maintenance, battery health monitoring, and specialised driver training to ensure reliable and commuter-focused services.
The partnership combines Chartered Speed’s operational expertise with EKA Mobility’s electric vehicle manufacturing and technology capabilities to deliver accessible and dependable urban transport solutions for Bengaluru commuters, it added.
"Bengaluru is a key mobility hub in India, and electric buses are central to efforts to build a cleaner and more efficient public transport system," said Sanyam Gandhi, Whole-Time Director, Chartered Speed Limited.
"As an early adopter of e-mobility, we aim to convert around 25 per cent of our fleet to electric by fiscal 2027, supported by strong infrastructure investments to deliver commuter-centric services with lasting socio-economic impact," he added.
