Friday, July 28 2006 17:05 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Ranchi: Jharkhand Chief Minister Arjun Munda met steel giant Lakshmi. N. Mittal in London to impress upon the India-born magnate his government's eagerness to translate into reality a proposed mega steel plant project in the state.

According to a source close to the chief minister, Munda met Mittal on Thursday night and explained to the latter efforts made by his government to take forward the 12 million-metric-tonne steel plant project and also dispel misgivings over the availability of land and mines.

"Mittal told Munda that his company has not withdrawn its feet from the Jharkhand project," according to a member of the team which accompanied Munda.

"Mittal told Munda to expedite the granting of the iron ore mines lease and make available land to the company so that the project can be started," the source said.

"Mittal Steel is looking at other opportunities in India too and Jharkhand has no problem in vying for the projects," the source said.

The chief minister is very keen that the Jharkhand project should be carried forward and his government would extend all possible help, the source said.

Munda, who went on a tour to the US from July 14, met Mittal in London on his way back to India.

During his visit to India on July 7, Mittal had expressed unhappiness over the progress of the steel project in Jharkhand.

Mittal, who had visited neighbouring Orissa state, had announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Orissa for a 12 million-tonne steel plant with an investment of Rs.400 billion ($8.5 billion).

After Mittal's remark, the Jharkhand government was galvanised to become pro-active.

The state government does not want to send wrong messages to the investors.

Mittal Steel had signed a MoU last year with Jharkhand for the plant with an investment of Rs.400 billion.