Decision-making is slow in India: Lakshmi Mittal

LONDON: "I do not think there's a policy paralysis, but decision-making is too slow in India," said Lakshmi Mittal, India-born chairman of ArcelorMittal, the world's largest steel company. Speaking exclusively to TOI on Friday, Mittal said, "India needs to move the way the rest of the world is moving to be competitive."

The comments came after Mittal's declaration this week at his firm's annual general meeting in Luxembourg that he foresaw delays in ArcelorMittal's planned Rs 30,000 crore investment in India. When a journalist suggested half in jest if he should speak to West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, the steel magnate's smile vanished.

"I am very annoyed that she only arrested Marwaris and no Bengalis after the hospital fire. Please carry that," he angrily shot back, referring to Trinamool government action after AMRI hospital fire in Kolkata that killed nearly 100 people.

Mittal, his wife, son, daughter-in-law and son-in-law were gathered on the uppermost platform within the ArcelorMittal Orbit, a sculpture which opened on Friday in the Olympic Park (soon to be named after the British queen, Elizabeth) of this year's London Olympiad.

The conjoining of 2,000 tons of red painted steel pipes - scrap from ArcelorMittal's plants from all continents - curving and zig-zagging up to a height of 115 metres is, arguably, a wonderfully conceived and constructed piece of artistry and architecture.

However, within the structure are two elements: A shiny steel spiralling path-cum-stairway and a rust-coloured canopy. The contrast and hideousness of such frameworks within the exotic exterior have evoked sharp criticism of Indian-born artist Anish Kapoor and Sri Lankan-born architect Cecil Balmond's design, selected from 40 to 50 entries.

"Controversy is okay, it's part of the deal," Kapoor said nonchalantly at a press meet preceding the unveiling of the Orbit.

"I am very pleased, very honoured that Boris gave me an opportunity to participate in the London Olympics," Mittal remarked. Johnson felt the Orbit symbolised cooperation between London and India. "It's important it should symbolise that; that it should symbolise the incredible links, the closeness between London and India," he said.