The Tamil Nadu government is holding talks with automotive majors to explore the possibility of utilising the shut down plant of Ford, outside Chennai to make cars or other vehicles, the state's Industries Minister TRB Rajaa has told NDTV. Last year Ford closed its operations in Chennai as part of its business restructuring. However on the question of reviving Sterlite's copper smelting plant in Tuticorin the state government says no. The plant was shut down in 2018 after 13 people were shot dead in a police firing on anti Sterlite protesters alleging environmental violations, which the company has denied.