Social activist Medha Patkar has demanded additional safeguards to protect interests of farmers in the land acquisition Bill pending before the Parliamentary standing committee.

Though the union rural development ministry has made certain corrective changes in the bill but they are still short of expectations, Patkar told a press conference here last night.

Seeking a comprehensive debate over the issue, Patkar demanded approval from gram sabhas besides a consensus from 80 percent of the would-be project affected persons (PAP) for acquiring land.

Expressing apprehensions over demand by some business bodies for setting up a land bank, the social activist said the Bill should ensure that the corporate houses do not indulge into land grabbing by exploiting loopholes in the proposed legislation.

Patkar questioned the need for fresh land acquisition saying huge amount of land acquired so far has been lying vacant.

She further said the one-time compensation for land acquisition must also include the value of the 'underground wealth' like water and minerals.