Vedanta Group, which runs the controversial Sterlite Industries in Tuticorin, has moved the Supreme of Court of India by filing a caveat petition.

It may be recalled that a few weeks back, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) surprised environmental activists across the country in general and Tamil Nadu in particular by ordering that Sterlite can start function again. It also directed the local State Govt. authorities to ensure that the Plant gets uninterrupted power supply for its operations.

It also set aside the Govt. of Tamil Nadu’s order closing down the plant. Thus, decks have been cleared for the re-opening of the Plant. People of Tuticorin and environmental activists are feeling depressed that by ordering re-opening of the Plant, the BJP-led Centre had failed to sense their problems. Govt. of Tamil Nadu is contemplating moving the apex Court to challenge the NGT’s order in this regard.

Sources say that Vedanta’s move to file a caveat is to pre-empt the State Govt.’s decision to move the apex Court against the NGT’s order. Sterlite has asked the apex Court to take up its petition if the Govt. of Tamil Nadu files an appeal challenging NGT’s order.