New Delhi, May 31 (IANS) 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.

The ordinance was first promulgated in December last year to amend the act passed by United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government in 2013.

Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi had on Saturday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the decision.

“Modi-ji in an amazing hurry to grab land from poor farmers at any cost. A 3rd attempt at pushing the anti farmer Land Ordinance!”

“Congress Party will continue to fight for the rights of the kisan and mazdoor against this #suitbootkisarkar,” he said in a series of tweets.