New Delhi: President Pranab Mukherjee on Sunday gave his assent to re-promulgation of the land ordinance, which was to expire next month. Rashtrapati Bhavan officials told IANS that the president signed the ordinance before leaving on an official visit to Sweden and Belarus.

The recommendation for re-promulgation of the ordinance was sent to the president after the union cabinet cleared it on Saturday. The move was strongly criticised by opposition parties, mainly the Congress. The land bill is currently with a Joint Committee of parliament for detailed discussion on the provisions of the controversial legislation.