Chennai: Expressing concern at the growing trend of activists opposing projects in Tamil Nadu, the ‘Chemical Industries Association’ has urged the state government to listen to the wise counsel from scientists and experts rather than by swept off feet by ‘mob fury’.
“In recent years, it appears that a practice of opposing every project and scheme is gaining strength in Tamil Nadu, which is a cause for concern. The present agitation against Sterlite Copper at Tuticorin appears to be another instance of whipping up passion against project unjustifiably”, said the Association in a letter addressed to the state additional chief secretary, industries department, pleading for pro-active measures from the government to save the chemical industry, vital for the all-round growth in the state, from disintegrating due to senseless agitations by vested interests.
The Association pointed out that Sterlite produced copper metal from copper concentrate and similar projects operated all over the world. Also, in India, the public sector Hindustan Copper operates copper mines and produces copper metal in Rajasthan, Jharkhand and other states. Birla Copper produces copper metal from copper concentrate in Gujarat. Both these companies operate copper smelters, just like Sterlite at Tuticorin, with the capacity of Birla Copper unit bigger than that of Sterlite. Both Hindustan and Birla plants “are operating smoothly without any protest”, said the Association in its letter to the TN official. It also listed out the names of three sulphuric acid plants in Tamil Nadu operating without any hitch while the Sterlite plant has been hit by protests.
The Association said cancer cases are being regularly reported in Chennai, Bengaluru has cases of asthma and Kolkata reported skin ailments but none of these three places has a Sterlite plant working. “In the absence of credible scientific evidence, any spread of rumour about occurrence of cancer in Tuticorin due to Sterlite plant causes suspicion that such accusation may be motivated. Internationally, it is still a matter of research investigation on the contributing cause for the cancer occurrence and increasing incidence of cancer are being reported all over the world including the USA and India”, said the Association.
It said a huge number of Sterlite workers are hit by its closure and same was the case with the over 100 small factories using Sterlite byproducts. Also, the cost of sulphuric acid has gone up three times since Sterlite's closure, it said, adding that the chemical industries consequently faced "lot of hardship which will lead to closure of small industries and seriously affect the industrial growth of Tamil Nadu".
