Thread by @barandbench

[Free supply of Oxygen from Vedanta Plant ?]

CJI SA Bobde led bench to consider an application by Vedanta seeking to reopen the Tuticorin based plant for only manufacturing Oxygen and supplying it free of cost.
@VedantaLimited
#SupremeCourt
#oxygensupply

Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta had submitted that if the plant is allowed to reopen then the Oxygen should only be used for health purposes in this pandemic
#SupremeCourt
#Vedanta
#COVIDEmergency2021

However Tamil Nadu had expressed strong reservations about reopening of the plant stating there is "trust deficit" in the state concerning the Vedanta Plant
#SupremeCourt
#OxygenSupply

Senior Adv CS Vaidyanathan for Tamil Nadu: ground situation is such that there is tremendous law and order problem. In 2012 a lot of people were killed and if the plant is opened then crowds will swell. We don't want such a situation

Vaidyanathan: District Collector had a meeting with locals today morning and no one wants it to be reopened. There is total lack of confidence

CJI: yesterday you did not tell us about the law and order problem?

Vaidyanathan: We bona fide wanted to reopen this but there is law and order situation

CJI: Is this on oath?

Vaidyanathan: I can file an affidavit tooday

Senior Adv Colin Gonsalves appears for the family of the victims who suffered due to the sterlite plant

CJI: Are you a party here?

Gonsalves: We are respondent number 10. families got cancer and there are strong feelings under Vendanta

CJI: We have no problem if Tamil Nadu takes over the plant

Gonsalves: They have taken over since last 3 years

CJI: Why are they not manufacturing oxygen?

Gonsalves: Tamil Nadu AG yesterday said that Madras is an oxygen surplus state

CJI: The whole point is Indians need it. This is no way to look at it just because you are in surplus and wont manufacture. Vaidyanathan says a affidavit will be filed

SG Mehta: Country is badly in need of oxygen. Way Centre allocates it they are not concerned if Vedanta runs or Mr Vaidyanathan's client run. 1,000 MT of Oxygen can be manufactured. We are not saying which particular company should do. Every ton matters

CJI: don't labour a point which we hold ourself. Constitution says material resources have to equitably distributed. I am sure Tamil Nadu manufacture.

CJI: Somebody say something concrete since people are dying due to lack of oxygen

TN: please give me some time. Let not the 2018 confrontation be repeated. Centre has the power to run it under Section 65 of the Disaster Management Act

CJI: we don't like being talked at. you are talking incessantly. You please be sure that we are not interested if vedanta or a b c d runs it we are concerned with oxygen being produced. When people are dying and state says there is law and order issue then keep vedanta out of it.

CJI: why don't you fulfill your responsibility in manufacturing oxygen? Just because you have problem with vedanta you will not manufacture oxygen? what kind of argument is this

Matter to be heard on Monday. Let Tamil Nadu file an affidavit