Sterlite Copper closure order is legally valid: Palaniswami
Chennai, May 29: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K.Palaniswami on Tuesday said the order issued by the state government shutting down the Sterlite Copper plant is legally valid and blamed the DMK for the violence in Thuthookudi on May 22.
Speaking in the assembly, he said the Government Order closing down the Sterlite Copper's smelter plant in Thuthookudi is valid as the Central Pollution Control Board has not issued any order contrary to it.
Popularly known as the Sterlite plant, the Sterlite Copper is a 400,000 tpa copper smelter plant owned by Vedanta Ltd.
Palaniswami also said it was the DMK government that gave the nod for expansion of smelter capacity.
Citing the action taken by the government before the May 22 police firing on the anti-Sterlite protestors, he said the government had held 14 rounds of talks with the members of the movement.
Palaniswami said a crowd numbering around 20,000 people tried to march to Thuthookudi collectorate and police resorted to baton charge on May 22.
He said DMK leader Geetha Jeevan defying the prohibitory orders staged an agitation when the violence broke as the protestors were instigated by some political parties and anti-social elements.
Thirteen people were killed in the police firing on anti-Sterlite Copper protestors as they turned violent and indulged in arson.
For more than two decades, the people of Thuthookudi have been protesting against the copper smelter plant.
Following the death of 13 persons in the police firing, the Tamil Nadu government orderd closure of the smelter plant.
Not satisfied with the closure order, major opposition party DMK decided to boycott the state assembly sessions until the Tamil Nadu cabinet takes a policy decision to shut down the Sterlite Copper smelter plant.
In a statement issued by the party, Whip R. Chakrapani said the Palaniswami government issued an order closing down the copper smelter plant without convening a cabinet meeting and taking a policy decision.
Contending this would enable the company to seek relief from the courts, he alleged that the Chief Minister was not sincere about shutting down the plant.
The DMK lawmakers on Tuesday attended the Assembly wearing black shirts to condemn the May 22 police firing.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
BJP leader Ashoka slams Siddaramaiah for asking people to support son in Varuna segment
Bengaluru (PTI): Taking a dig at Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for calling on the people of his Varuna assembly segment to support and nurture his son Yathindra, just as they did to him, senior BJP leader R Ashoka on Saturday asked whether this was a monarchy to announce a successor.
The Leader of the Opposition also termed it a "bad" development in state politics.
"Siddaramaiah gives speeches claiming that he is a socialist and not a casteist or a nepotist. Yesterday, he asked people to nurture his son politically. All these years, they nurtured him, now his son, and next he will come in six months with a similar request for his grandson. Is this monarchy to announce a successor," Ashoka asked.
ALSO READ: DU dismisses Rahul's allegation that it uses interviews to eliminate students
Speaking to reporters here, he said Siddaramaiah seems to have abandoned Ambedkar's principles.
"One has to win through ballots in politics....such appeals in politics will be an offence to the principles with which Ambedkar drafted our Constitution. It is surprising that Siddaramaiah has made such a statement. This is not good for state politics," he added.
Addressing a gathering at his Varuna constituency in Mysuru on Friday, Siddaramaiah said he will remain in politics till his "last breath" and will continue to serve the people as much as he can. He also called on the people of the segment to support and nurture his son and Congress MLC Yathindra politically, just as they supported him.
The opposition leader also took a dig at "dinner parties" within the Congress amid the ongoing power struggle between Siddaramaiah and his deputy D K Shivakumar's camps and speculation about a leadership change, stating that "this is a dinner party government."
"They are not worried about the difficulties faced by the state's people. They are only concerned with who will hold the chief minister post and maintain power. This is betrayal to the people of the state," he added.
Reacting to Ramanagara Congress MLA Iqbal Hussain criticising the state budget presented by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah last week, Ashoka claimed that a number of other ruling party legislators are also unhappy with the Budget, as it did not meet their expectations.
"Hussain has only expressed the opinion of other Congress MLAs. He has spoken the truth. I compliment him," he added.
Responding to a question, Ashoka urged the state government to take action against those indulging in hoarding and black marketing of LPG cylinders amid supply constraints caused by the West Asia conflict.
Pointing out that the supply issues have arisen due to conflict, he said, "Those trying to blame the Centre for the gas crisis should understand this. They should suggest alternatives to address the supply issue caused by the war."
Appealing to the people of the state to cooperate in the current situation, Ashoka hit out at CM Siddaramaiah for doing politics on the issue that has arisen due to the war in the Middle East.
