C P Joshi, India's Rural Development Minister, on Tuesday claimed that a Bill to provide for acquisition of land for industrial projects and Special Economic Zones (SEZs) has been cleared by the Cabinet and the timing of its introduction in Parliament will be decided by the Parliamentary Affairs Ministry.

No such decision has, however, been announced in the Cabinet briefing and hence Joshi, presenting the quarterly report of his ministry's performance, was asked when the decision was taken and whether the Cabinet meeting was attended by Trinamool Congress chief and Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee, who was opposed to certain proposals.

Joshi ducked the questions, affirming that "as far as the Land Acquisition Bill is concerned, it has already been approved by the Cabinet and now the question when will it be introduced in Parliament has to be addressed by the Parliamentary Affairs Ministry."