LN Mittal's comments on land acquisition shock states

BHUBANESWAR | RANCHI: ArcelorMittal chairman and CEO LN Mittal���s comments that delays in land acquisition could force the company to scrap its steel projects in Orissa and Jharkhand have caught both state governments totally offguard.

Orissa chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday dubbed Mr Mittal���s veiled pullout threat from Orissa as ���unexpected���. The Jharkhand government, in turn, claimed it is totally unaware that ArcelorMittal is exploring an alternative location, amid land-related delays. Orissa steel & mines secretary Ashok Dalwai did not mince words.

���We were always committed to the ArcelorMittal project. We remain committed to all obligations, we had made to them. They should have patience. Greenfield projects across the globe take time. Orissa has a great track record of making things happen. Vedanta���s refinery and smelter going to production proves my point,��� he asserted.