NEW DELHI: India’s President Ram Nath Kovind on Sunday approved three controversial agricultural bills that the Parliament had recently cleared, Indian media reports said today.

One of the three bills triggered nationwide protests by farmers, who argue that the legislation will pave the way for government to stop buying grain at guaranteed prices.

President Kovind gave his assent to three farm bills — the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020, Farmer’s Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020, and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, 2020.

President Kovind’s approval comes a day after the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) ally, Shiromani Akali Dal, quit the NDA over the farm bills.

(With inputs from Agencies)