President accepts Harsimrat Kaur Badal's resignation; Narendra Singh Tomar assigned her portfolio

New Delhi : President of India Ram Nath Kovind has accepted the resignation of minister of food processing industries Harsimrat Kaur Badal from the Union Cabinet. Narendra Singh Tomar has been assigned to take the additional charge of the ministry, said a press release.

"The President of India, as advised by the Prime Minister, has accepted the resignation of Smt. Harsimrat Kaur Badal from the Union Council of Ministers, with immediate effect, under clause (2) of Article 75 of the Constitution," the press release on Friday said.

"Further, as advised by the Prime Minister, the President has directed that Shri Narendra Singh Tomar, Cabinet Minister, be assigned the charge of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, in addition to his existing portfolios," it added.

Harsimrat Kaur Badal resigned from her post in the Cabinet to protest against the agriculture bill passed in Lok Sabha yesterday.

"I have resigned from Union Cabinet in protest against anti-farmer ordinances and legislation. Proud to stand with farmers as their daughter & sister," she had tweeted.

Meanwhile, her party Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) also registered their disapproval against the bill but said it will continue to be a part of the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

"These bills have many provisions that go against farmers’ interests. We have repeatedly asked the government that please address the apprehensions of farmers, but the government had done nothing. Therefore, I oppose these bills," SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal said.