ArcelorMittal to clear $1 billion dues to bid for Essar Steel
Live MintMumbai: ArcelorMittal will pay ₹ 7,469 crore to the financial creditors of Uttam Galva Steels Ltd and KSS Petron Pvt. “ArcelorMittal announces that in line with the Indian Supreme Court ruling dated 4 October 2018, it has approved a payment of ₹ 7,469 crore to the financial creditors of Uttam Galva and KSS Petron to clear overdue debts in order that the offer it submitted for Essar Steel India Ltd on 2 April 2018 is eligible and can be considered by ESIL’s Committee of Creditors,” the company said. On 4 October, the Supreme Court had granted one final opportunity to ArcelorMittal and Numetal Mauritius—the two frontrunners with bids for Essar Steel—to settle outstanding dues in related companies and submit fresh bids for the stressed asset by the end of this week. Mint, however, could not verify whether Russia’s VTB Bank-led Numetal Mauritius, the other contender, has taken any steps to cure its bid, which involves paying off lenders of Essar Steel, a liability that could be as high as ₹ 49,000 crore.