Empowered Group of Ministers, EGoM today discussed the proposed Land acquisition Bill. Chaired by Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, the meeting was attended by several Union Ministers including Defence Minister A K Antony, Finance Minister P Chidambaram, Urban Development Minister Kamal Nath, Urban poverty alleviation Minister Kumari Sailja,Later talking to reporters, Mr Kamal Nath said that he has suggested that farmers should get right compensation of their land. He added that as Circle rates does not reflect the market value of land so it has been suggested that Gram Panchayat should decide the value of land. Mr Nath also said that he wanted the process for compensation should be fast so that farmers get their land's compensation on time.

Mr Kamal Nath said that EGoM will soon meet once again to discuss further.

AIR correspondent reports that the Land acquisition Bill , which seeks to replace the century old law drawn by Britishers will bring clarity in the rules governing land acquisition by the government for itself or by private firms to provide public services. The Bill was referred to a committee of Empowered Group of Ministers after it failed to meet consensus in the Cabinet in August this year.