– By R Chandra Mouli
The dictionary defines ‘rumor mill’ as the creation and spread of many rumors by a group of people. Anti-social persons feed allegations and public unwittingly consume the claims. When the churn continues, some sections of the media have a penchant to elevate fake news to fact status.
For America in the late 60s, the soon-to-happen defeat of Viet Cong in the jungles of Vietnam was a sustained lie, projected as fact. Closer to home, the ballooning of an edtech enterprise into a unicorn was lauded as an entrepreneurial feat – punctured when reality dawned on customers and stakeholders. The meteoric rise and fall of a micro-finance Group in North India was a case of truth told too late.
Also Read Bumps on the road: New BoT terms for highway construction may throw pvt investors into risk-aversion mode E-commerce needs a bulwark A needless debate Beyond PLI targets In such exposes and revelations where does Sterlite Copper feature? Let’s go behind the scenes and do a fact check: The copper smelter, established in Thoothukudi, Tamilnadu, in the year 1996, is a state-of-the-art facility with in-built safety practices for environment protection and effluent treatment.
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Technology acknowledged by industry experts
The technology and equipment for smelter operation, sulphuric acid and phosphoric acid plant, rod plant, oxygen plant, refinery and hygiene ventilation were sourced from UK, USA, Canada, Australia, Italy and Brazil. In the year 2017, the facility won the ‘Sword of Honour’ Award from British Safety Council, a tribute conferred to best of best companies globally.
Engaging in image sabotage
Neighbour’s envy can lead to negative consequences. It is well known in geopolitics that certain countries attempt to sabotage the economy of another country, to achieve economic superiority for themselves. Over the years, rumours and allegations about Sterlite Copper, fueled and funded by anti-India elements and anti-nationals, have been doing the rounds.
One claim after another was floated and escalated… and over time any illness or change in climate in the district was attributed to the copper smelter. Respiratory problems, cancer, color of groundwater, even failure of monsoon – Sterlite Copper was blamed. Seemingly, a case of economic terrorism through image sabotage.
A verdict with far-reaching outcomes
Having understood the context and backdrop, let us review the arguments put forth before the Supreme Court in February 2024. Hearing the petition filed by Vedanta Industries, the Bench has opined that it upholds the earlier order of the High Court to shut down the smelter.
The decision may serve as precedent, and its outcome have a far-ranging impact on country and community.
For the people of Thooothukudi, closure of the smelter since 2018 has led to loss of livelihood. It had provided direct and indirect employment to more than One Lac people and engaged with over 400 downstream industries, transporters and contractors, most of whom were MSMEs.
In a Nation committed to Aatmanirbhar or self-sufficiency, the Sterlite Copper verdict overturns the principle, as India will continue to be a net importer of copper.
Disposal of Copper Slag
As for specifics addressed by the apex Court, one worth reviewing is that of disposal of Slag, which is generated during copper production. When the smelter was in operation, all copper slag, in line with guidelines issued by the Central Pollution Control Board, was stored in Secured Landfills (SLF) which prevent seepage of the waste product into the soil. It must be noted that Slag and Phosphogypsum are categorized as high volume, low effect, non-hazardous waste by CPCB (Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016).
Not ensuring speedy disposal of Slag, which is an input material to the construction industry, is a failing by Sterlite Copper, for which remedial measures can be prescribed by the judiciary, rather than take the extreme step of continuing status quo of smelter closure.
Ignoring Source Apportionment – Ignoring the Elephant in the Room
In instances where pollution is a prime allegation, it would be wise to initiate a source apportionment study.
Along with Sterlite Copper, there are 40 other industries in Thoothukudi in Red Category classification of Central Pollution Control Board. The constant plea of Sterlite Copper over the years to conduct a source apportionment study, to identify the culprit(s) has never been addressed.
If precise information on an alleged lacuna is not sought, the fate of industries, existing and upcoming, will hang in balance. In times to come, certifications such as Consent to Establish, Consent to Operate, and Environment Clearance can be no guarantee for continued existence of an industry in the red category.
For a 360-degree understanding, consider viewing a documentary made by an independent film maker: ‘Copper – The Untold Story,’ hosted on ‘Indian Imprints’ Channel, YouTube. The film’s narrative is bound to raise the following questions:
1. Did India unwittingly get drawn as pawn in a geopolitical chequerboard aimed to change its status as an exporter of copper?
2. If we have become an importer within one year of smelter closure, have external forces succeeded in their plan?
3. Will such forces not have a free run for the next few years until a greenfield smelter project in Gujarat is commissioned and attains peak production?
Come to your own conclusion, in the curious case of copper.
(R Chandra Mouli is Strategy Consultant, Columnist, and Former Journalist.)
(Disclaimer: Views expressed are personal and do not reflect the official position or policy of Financial Express Online. Reproducing this content without permission is prohibited.)
– By R Chandra Mouli
The dictionary defines ‘rumor mill’ as the creation and spread of many rumors by a group of people. Anti-social persons feed allegations and public unwittingly consume the claims. When the churn continues, some sections of the media have a penchant to elevate fake news to fact status.
For America in the late 60s, the soon-to-happen defeat of Viet Cong in the jungles of Vietnam was a sustained lie, projected as fact. Closer to home, the ballooning of an edtech enterprise into a unicorn was lauded as an entrepreneurial feat – punctured when reality dawned on customers and stakeholders. The meteoric rise and fall of a micro-finance Group in North India was a case of truth told too late.
In such exposes and revelations where does Sterlite Copper feature? Let’s go behind the scenes and do a fact check: The copper smelter, established in Thoothukudi, Tamilnadu, in the year 1996, is a state-of-the-art facility with in-built safety practices for environment protection and effluent treatment.
Technology acknowledged by industry experts
The technology and equipment for smelter operation, sulphuric acid and phosphoric acid plant, rod plant, oxygen plant, refinery and hygiene ventilation were sourced from UK, USA, Canada, Australia, Italy and Brazil. In the year 2017, the facility won the ‘Sword of Honour’ Award from British Safety Council, a tribute conferred to best of best companies globally.
Engaging in image sabotage
Neighbour’s envy can lead to negative consequences. It is well known in geopolitics that certain countries attempt to sabotage the economy of another country, to achieve economic superiority for themselves. Over the years, rumours and allegations about Sterlite Copper, fueled and funded by anti-India elements and anti-nationals, have been doing the rounds.
One claim after another was floated and escalated… and over time any illness or change in climate in the district was attributed to the copper smelter. Respiratory problems, cancer, color of groundwater, even failure of monsoon – Sterlite Copper was blamed. Seemingly, a case of economic terrorism through image sabotage.
A verdict with far-reaching outcomes
Having understood the context and backdrop, let us review the arguments put forth before the Supreme Court in February 2024. Hearing the petition filed by Vedanta Industries, the Bench has opined that it upholds the earlier order of the High Court to shut down the smelter.
The decision may serve as precedent, and its outcome have a far-ranging impact on country and community.
For the people of Thooothukudi, closure of the smelter since 2018 has led to loss of livelihood. It had provided direct and indirect employment to more than One Lac people and engaged with over 400 downstream industries, transporters and contractors, most of whom were MSMEs.
In a Nation committed to Aatmanirbhar or self-sufficiency, the Sterlite Copper verdict overturns the principle, as India will continue to be a net importer of copper.
Disposal of Copper Slag
As for specifics addressed by the apex Court, one worth reviewing is that of disposal of Slag, which is generated during copper production. When the smelter was in operation, all copper slag, in line with guidelines issued by the Central Pollution Control Board, was stored in Secured Landfills (SLF) which prevent seepage of the waste product into the soil. It must be noted that Slag and Phosphogypsum are categorized as high volume, low effect, non-hazardous waste by CPCB (Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016).
Not ensuring speedy disposal of Slag, which is an input material to the construction industry, is a failing by Sterlite Copper, for which remedial measures can be prescribed by the judiciary, rather than take the extreme step of continuing status quo of smelter closure.
Ignoring Source Apportionment – Ignoring the Elephant in the Room
In instances where pollution is a prime allegation, it would be wise to initiate a source apportionment study.
Along with Sterlite Copper, there are 40 other industries in Thoothukudi in Red Category classification of Central Pollution Control Board. The constant plea of Sterlite Copper over the years to conduct a source apportionment study, to identify the culprit(s) has never been addressed.
If precise information on an alleged lacuna is not sought, the fate of industries, existing and upcoming, will hang in balance. In times to come, certifications such as Consent to Establish, Consent to Operate, and Environment Clearance can be no guarantee for continued existence of an industry in the red category.
For a 360-degree understanding, consider viewing a documentary made by an independent film maker: ‘Copper – The Untold Story,’ hosted on ‘Indian Imprints’ Channel, YouTube. The film’s narrative is bound to raise the following questions:
1. Did India unwittingly get drawn as pawn in a geopolitical chequerboard aimed to change its status as an exporter of copper?
2. If we have become an importer within one year of smelter closure, have external forces succeeded in their plan?
3. Will such forces not have a free run for the next few years until a greenfield smelter project in Gujarat is commissioned and attains peak production?
Come to your own conclusion, in the curious case of copper.
(R Chandra Mouli is Strategy Consultant, Columnist, and Former Journalist.)
(Disclaimer: Views expressed are personal and do not reflect the official position or policy of Financial Express Online. Reproducing this content without permission is prohibited.)
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