A Parliamentary panel said the government should not acquire land for private businesses and stressed on a clearer definition of public purpose in this regard.

Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development, headed by BJP leader Sumitra Mahajan, in its report on the Bill, said public purpose in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill should be limited to linear infrastructure and irrigation, including multipurpose dams and social sector infrastructure such as schools, hospitals and drinking water or sanitation projects constructed at state expense.

All cases of land acquisition must entail obligations for adequate compensation, rehabilitation and resettlement to all land losers and other affected persons.

The report tabled in Parliament has suggested that land acquisition for any purpose should be brought under the purview of this legislation.