PTI reported that ArcelorMittal has been serious on setting up plants in India and the government is keen on the projects as well.

Mr Dalip Singh joint secretary ministry of steel on the sidelines of a convention said that "ArcelorMittal group is serious to set up their unit in India and so is the government.”

Mr Singh said that in fact, they have already applied for allocation of iron ore mines in Karnataka, Orissa and Jharkhand, when asked whether any progress was made with regard to ArcelorMittal's proposed steel mills.

Recently, the company began drilling operations in Seregarha coal block in Latehar district of Jharkhand for its proposed 12 million tonne per annum capacity plant in the state, for which a pact was signed with the state government over five years back.

Besides this, it is also awaiting permission from the state government to begin drilling at the Karampada iron ore mine in West Singhbhum district, where it is conducting prospecting exercise.

The global steel giant has plans to build 2 mega steel plants of 12 million tonne per annum each in Jharkhand and Orissa and one 6 million tonne per annum plant in Karnataka at a total estimated investment of INR 1,30,000 crore (about USD 25 billion).

(Sourced from PTI)