DMK government was supportive of Sterlite Copper: Palaniswami

Chennai, May 31 (IANS) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K.Palaniswami on Thursday said it was the DMK government that was supportive of Sterlite Copper smelter plant, owned by Vedanta Ltd, and not the AIADMK government.

Speaking in the assembly. Palaniswami refuted DMK leader M.K.Stalin's charge on Monday that the AIADMK government had extended the operation of the copper smelter plant in Thoothukudi.

"Sterlite located in Thoothukudi is implementing a capacity expansion project at an outlay of Rs 1,500 crore," Palaniswami quoted Stalin's statement in the assembly on May 3, 2010 as the state Industries Minister.

The Chief Minister also said it was Stalin as the then Industries Minister allotted 230 acres for the second copper smelter unit of Sterlite Copper, saying that it was his government that has brought to light who was supportive of the Sterlite Copper.

According to Palaniswami the AIADMK government is taking all legal steps to shut down the copper smelter plant.

Even in 2013 under then Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa, steps were taken to shut down the copper smelter unit but taking legal recourse, the company continued to operate the plant, he said.

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