Chennai, December 21: The Madurai bench of Madras High Court on Friday directed the state government to maintain ‘status quo’ on the National Green Tribunal verdict, announced a week ago on the reopening of the Vedanta-owned copper smelter plant - commonly known as Sterlite Copper - in Tuticorin .

Along with that, the bench directed the state pollution control board not to give green signal to Sterlite Copper and stated that the matter of giving a go ahead for controversial plant would be heard on January 21. With this order, the high court bench has given a big relief to Tamil Nadu state government which imposed a ban on the copper plant, after 13 protesters dies in police firing. NGT Orders Reopening of Vedanta’s Sterlite Copper Plant in Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu Govt to Challenge Ruling in SC.

The bench announced its observation after hearing the petition filed by MDMK politician Fatima Babu. Briefing about the HC order, the counsellor for Babu said, “In effect, this order prevents state agencies to take steps to implement the NGT order till January 21.”

Earlier on December 15, the NGT court gave green signal to Sterlite plant and directed Tamil Nadu Pollution Control board to pass fresh order of renewal for consent. Also, the bench had directed the Vedanta Limited to spend Rs 100 crore over three year for ‘welfare activities’.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 21, 2018 06:44 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).