Opposition flayed the AIADMK government for the manner in which it closed down the Sterlite Copper Smelter Plant in Tuticorin, which has been held as unjustified now by a committee appointed by the National Green Tribunal.

DMK president MK Stalin said that it was a matter of shame for the TN government that the committee has recommended the reopening of the plant with certain conditions. He had tweeted that “Knowing that such a thing would happen I had insisted that the decision to close down the plant should be taken in the cabinet meeting.”

At least now the state government must fight the legal case properly, he said.

Other opposition parties too said that the committee decision was on expected lines. The reopening of the plant in the new year is now certain said PMK founder S Ramadoss. The state government has cheated the people of Tuticorin, he said.

CPI leader R Mutharasan said at least now the state government should stop supporting the plant and take proper action for permanent closure of the plant.

The NGT had appointed a committee headed by former Chief Justice of Meghalaya High Court Tarun Aggarwal to probe the closure of the copper smelter plant. It gave its recommendations today. The state government had ordered closure of the plant following protests and police firing on protesters left 13 people dead on May 22.