Thread by @NityJayaraman

Vedanta's offer of producing oxygen @ sealed & shut Thoothukudi copper smelter complex is duplicitous & must be rejected. Reasons why and how to reject without compromising state's ability to source extra oxygen. #BanSterlite 1/n

The plant is shutdown by weight of two separate orders. 1) for a serious violation of safety norms & causing massive SO2 gas leak in March 2013 that injured 1000s in Thoothukudi. 2) a permanent closure order by GoTN in May 2018. #BanSterlite 2/n

Both closure orders were confirmed by Madras High Court in August 2020, highlighting fraud committed by company and the “supine indifference on the part of the [Vedanta] in compliance with the [license] conditions.” #BanSterlite 3/n

Vedanta has failed to disclose permanent closure by Govt Order or separate closure for causing disastrous 2013 gas leak in its submission to SC. Why? What does it have to hide? #BanSterlite 4/n

O2 plant inside Sterlite complex built in Jan 2004 without env clearance. This was confirmed by Oct 2004 TNPCB committee formed by Supreme Court Monitoring Committee order. O2 plant part of entire smelter complex constructed without license. #BanSterlite 5/n

Vedanta’s unlicensed construction of 2004 has been critically noted by the Madras High Court in its 2020 order confirming permanent closure of the Sterlite plant to highlight co’s disregard for law. (Para 584 of MHC Order) #BanSterlite 6/n

Vedanta’s current proposal is in continuation of its failed efforts at gaining back-door entry into its sealed smelter complex. On 2/12/2020, SC Judge Nariman rejected Vedanta’s request to open/maintain its plant. #BanSterlite 7/n

Current application prayers identical to application rejected by Justice Nariman except for addition of request to operate O2 plant in “national interest” (Yeah right!) This is insincere excuse whose sole intent is to reopen and gain access to entire plant. #BanSterlite 8/n

That is evident from Vedanta’s prayers for unrestrained access to entire plant, & prayer to restrain even GoTN from interfering with access to sealed complex. Wants to bypass GoTN, TNPCB. Wants to deal only with big biz-friendly Central Govt. #BanSterlite 9/n

Vedanta in Tuty has poor track record of safety, integrity and ability to run tight ship. Its been closed by court or executive order on five different occasions bcos of environmental violations and serious safety lapses, incl gas leaks on two occassions. #BanSterlite 10/n

Co has failed to disclose that plant was permanently shut down by GO invoking state’s responsibility to protect env & health of communities. Reopening even one unit is dangerous, will vitiate state’s relnship with local communities & make mockery of rule of law #BanSterlite 11/n

In March 2020, LG Polymers’ in Vizag, also built without clearance, suffered a serious gas leak that killed 12 people & injured hundreds. This was because of hurried, unplanned and unregulated shutdown of ill-maintained plant. #BanSterlite 12/n

Vedanta's request not aimed at fulfilling demand-supply gaps for O2. This’s a self-serving move aimed at whitewashing reputation of a habitual offender & bypass regulators to re-open an illegally constructed hazardous facility. #BanSterlite 13/n

Real demand-supply situation would need to be seen regionally from logistics perspective, not merely from production capacity perspective. TN, Kerala hv sufficient med O2 production cap - 400 tpd and 246 tpd resply -- to even supply neighbouring states. #BanSterlite 14/n

Karnataka has 812 tpd prodn cap agnst demand of 200 tpd. AP has surplus & is supplying 100 tonne to Maharashtra. Telangana, Maharashtra, Delhi facing shortages. #BanSterlite 15/n

Many shortages are due to logistic issues, not merely production limitations. Shortage of cryogenic tankers to transport liquid O2. Shortage of storage/bottling facilities. Time to transport O2 from plant to hospital can take 6-8 days bcos of logistics issues. #BanSterlite 16/n

Installation of smaller, quicker-to-set-up Pressure Swing Absorption units at sites of consumption is a way out. This will ensure O2 is available at the point of need rather than be transported from centralised facilities. This is also being done. #BanSterlite 17/n

It is one thing to divert industrial oxygen from well-running, licensed plants. It is quite another to entertain a petition from an environmental offender to permit reopening and access of a facility sealed for violating safety/environmental norms. #BanSterlite 18/n

Allowing Vedanta to reopen its Thoothukudi smelter would be akin to allowing Union Carbide to reopen the Bhopal plant on some pretext or other. Let’s not forget that Vedanta has also been shut down for causing the 2013 toxic gas leak. #BanSterlite 19/n

Thoothukudi smelter is currently under lock-and-seal and in custody of District Collector. Maintenance is the state’s responsibility. If there is demonstrated need for O2, Govt of TN can meet it by contracting personnel to operate plant. #BanSterlite 20/n

Vedanta cant be allowed back-door entry, bypassing its pending appeal in SC. This is #DisasterCapitalism at its sinister worst. O2 bottlenecks cant be remedied in piecemeal manner by pandering to pvt corp’s self serving petitions. #BanSterlite 21/21

Correx: Vedanta has disclosed closure order of State Govt, but not the 2013 closure order for gas leak.