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TN to appeal against NGT order to reopen Sterlite Copper (Lead)

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Chennai, Dec 15 (IANS) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K. Palaniswami on Saturday said the state government will go for an appeal against the National Green Tribunal (NGT) order to reopen Vedanta Ltd’s copper smelter plant, Sterlite Copper, in Tuticorin.

Speaking to reporters in Salem, about 360 km from here, Palaniswami said the state government had ordered the closure of Sterlite plant.

“The state government will appeal against the NGT’s order,” Palaniswami said.

Similar views were expressed by Tamil Nadu Minister for Environment and Pollution Control K.C. Karuppannan.

Speaking to reporters, Karuppannan said the Chief Minister is firm on closing down the Sterlite Copper smelter plant, adding: “The state government will challenge the NGT order in the Supreme Court.”

On Saturday, the NGT set the stage for reopening of the Vedanta’s Thoothukudi-based copper smelting plant by setting aside the Tamil Nadu government’s order to close it permanently, and directed the state pollution control body to pass a fresh order allowing renewal of consent for the plant within three weeks.

Reacting to the development DMK President M.K. Stalin said the NGT order is a slap on Tamil Nadu government’s face.

Stalin said the DMK and other opposition parties had urged the government to take a policy decision against Sterlite Copper by convening a cabinet meeting.

But Chief Minister Palaniswami and Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam “mocked at our suggestion and they also did not heed to the warning of High Court while hearing a case”, Stalin said.

“The NGT order is an unwashable tar on the face of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister,” Stalin said.

According to him, the state government should gather sufficient evidence and also do studies to prove that the pollution by Sterlite Copper is irreversible and take a policy decision to close the plant at a meeting of the state cabinet.

Stalin said the government should not sing the same old song that they would prefer an appeal in the Supreme Court.

On his part, PMK Founder S. Ramadoss said the NGT’s decision is on expected lines, and therefore, neither surprising nor shocking.

Ramadoss said the order to reopen the copper smelter plant, popularly known as Sterlite Copper, shows that the corporate dominance has won.

According to Ramadoss, the state government is not interested in closing down the smelter plant but ordered the closure to calm down the situation in Tuticorin after the police fired at a procession against the plant killing 13 persons on May 22 this year.

“The state government’s closure order is nothing but a self goal scored,” Ramadoss said.

Tamil Nadu State Secretary of the Communist Party of India (CPI) R. Mutharasan said the NGT’s order is shocking and disappointing.

–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma

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World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.

Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.

During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.

On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”

Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.

It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.

Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.

Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”

On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”

The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.

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