GoM clears controversial Land Acquisition Bill

The 14-member Group of Ministers (GoM) chaired by Union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar, cleared the controversial Land Acquisition Bill in its third sitting on Tuesday. The draft report will now be sent to the Cabinet for approval. In its last meeting, members had expressed differences over government's role in acquiring land for private parties. Deputy chairman of Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia could not attend the last meeting of the GoM, which saw differences on retrospective acquisitions and consent required from land owners.