In the middle of misery and despair, the government and supreme court seem intent on finding ways to allow murderous corporations to extort the masses.

GoI at this point is working solely on behalf of private health care industry in which Vedanta is trying to get a foothold. 1/n

Vedanta is an infamous metals and mining MNC primarily owned by Anil Agarwal, who made his money by taking over government-owned enterprises.

Infamous for violating environmental regulations and human rights. In Odhisa, Chattisgarh, Tamil Nadu, Zambia.. 2/n

Vedanta subsidiary Sterlite Copper was known for repeated violations of environmental regulations over several years. Mass protests against its expansion were met with state repression: 13 protesters were shot dead by police snipers.

Their families are awaiting justice. 3/n

Closure of the plant following the protests resulted in drop of sulphur-oxide levels in the air and dramatic improvement in ambient air quality.

Note that Vedanta is challenging Madras HC's decision to dismiss its plea to allow reopening by accusing it of favoritism. 4/n

Although the petition has since been amended (with Vedanta claiming that it was an error of an associate), it's laughable then that the same Harish Salve who is accusing courts of bias was appointed amicus curae!

(He has since recused himself after questions were raised) 5/n

The Sterlite plant was shutdown based on two separate orders, one for an earlier SO2 leak that was found to be due to violation of safety norms.

Why is the Supreme Court insisting on TN government allowing the plant to reopen then? GoI has already given its approval. 6/n

The oxygen plant inside the Sterlite complex itself was constructed illegally without obtaining environmental clearance, as was noted by Madras High Court.

This was found out by a committee appointed by none other than the Supreme Court. 7/n https://twitter.com/NityJayaraman/status/1385211464013676545

What is this national interest business then? At least in the south, it is not O2 production capacity which is in shortage but issues in storage, bottling and transportation.

Instead of finding solutions to this, GoI is helping Vedanta get back-door entry into the plant. 8/n

So what is this special relationship between Vedanta and GoI? Well, it is the company that is enforcing the plan to destroy anganwadis and privatize them, making inroads for the private health care industry into the life of citizens in rural India. 9/n https://twitter.com/lonelyredcurl/status/1341100000277762048

Is it a wonder then that anganwadis are short of funds and its workers are underpaid and overworked at the same time when the government is working as a stooge for these billionaires?

Also note the involvement of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. 10/n https://twitter.com/lonelyredcurl/status/1341102691158638593

The truth is Vedanta is not the solution to India's health care woes. In fact, they should ideally be booted out and not allowed to dip their claws anywhere near it.

That GoI will not do this is certain. Whether the Supreme Court is any better remains to be seen. n/n