An all-party meeting to iron out differences on issues relating to the Land Acquisition Bill remained inconclusive in New Delhi today. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath told reporters that another meeting will be held on 18th of this month to sort out the remaining issues.

Mr Nath said that all political parties have been asked to give their suggestions in writing within next four days which will be circulated among all parties and will be discussed in the next meeting. He, however, said there was consensus in the meeting to pass the bill at the earliest. BJP leader Sushma Swaraj told reporters that her party has reservations on certain amendments in the proposed bill and has given suggestions to the government.

The meeting was attended by Rural Development minister Jairam Ramesh, Aviation Minister Ajit Singh, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Rajiv Shukla. Senior Leaders of political parties including Samajwadi party's Revati Reman Singh, D. Raja of CPI, Sivanand Tewari, JDU, Heavy Industry Minister and NCP leader Praful Patel were also among those who attended the meeting.

The Bill provides for a fair compensation to land owners in both rural and urban areas with the stipulation that consent of 80 per cent of the people for acquiring land for private industry is necessary. The long-awaited land Bill seeks to address problems of the industry regarding acquisition of land for setting up green field projects.

Earlier, the Bill's consideration was deferred by the Lok Sabha's winter session till the budget session bowing to the wishes of opposition members.