New Delhi, July 30 (TIWN) Vedanta Ltd has moved the Supreme Court seeking its nod to continue operations, beyond July 31, of its copper plant in Tamil Nadu's Thoothukudi for production of medical oxygen.

The top court has scheduled the matter for further hearing next week.  On April 27, the top court had allowed Vedanta to operate its oxygen production unit, on a standalone basis, at the Thoothukudi copper plant till July 31. The company had contended then it wanted to help the national cause amid the second wave, when the country was in dire need of oxygen for Covid patients.  The Tamil Nadu government had sealed the plant run by Vedanta arm Sterlite on May 28, 2018, due to environmental concerns. During a protest against environmental pollution allegedly caused by the plant, thirteen people were killed when police opened fire.