Land Bill panel meets today to finalise draft

New Delhi: With the deadline closing, the parliamentary panel that is examining the contentious Land Acquisition Bill will meet on Monday to reach a consensus on key issues.

It has already struck a consensus on six other contentious issues, included consent and social impact assessment.

The panel will seek the members’ views on returning acquired land back to the owners if not used for five years.

BJD leader Bhartruhari Mahatab had sought time till August 11 to submit the report, and it is likely to be presented to Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan on Tuesday.

Rural development minister Choudhary Birendra Singh has already said the government is open to the changes suggested by the panel.