Hosapete: The State government has urged ArcelorMittal, the steel giant, to consider establishing an industry in Ballari district to generate employment opportunities for locals.

Responding to questions on the sidelines of a business summit here on Saturday, Mr. Deshpande said that he had held three to four meetings with them.

ArcelorMittal had signed an Memorandum of Understanding with the State government to set up a five-million tonne steel plant.

But now, due to changes in policies of allotment of captive mines, it had applied for change in the land use to set up solar power plant. “A State High-level Committee will have to take a decision on permitting change in land use. However, we hope that ArcelorMittal would consider our request to set up an alternative industry and provide employment to locals,” he added.

On providing air connectivity to Kalaburagi, Shivamogga and Ballari, Mr. Deshpande said that works in Kalaburgi was going on and in Shivamogga it was held up due to some technical reasons.