DW BUREAU / Chandigarh The Shiromani Akali Dal today said the BJP led central government and the Capt Amarinder Singh led government were conspiring to end Cooperative Societies in the State to ruin farmers and the decision of the State government to reduce DAP fertilizer share to farmers through societies from 80 to 50 percent was a clear indication that the Congress government was I implementing the hidden agenda of the BJP. In a statement issued here today, SAD Kisan Wing President Sikander Singh Maluka said it was shocking that instead of working for strengthening the cooperative structure in the state, the Congress government was working to completely eliminate this sector. He said the cooperative societies were the backbone of the farming community. "This sector provides subsidised fertilizers and other services to farmers who are already facing the brunt of high input cost of farming". Maluka said that instead of providing relief to farmers, both the centre and state governments were working against farmers. He said due to reduction in manufacturing of fertilizers from 5.5 lakh MT to 1.25 lakh MT, lesser supply available in the market. "The shortage of supply is directly related to the reduction in the Rs. 8000 per tonne subsidy which was being denied to manufacturers". The SAD leader said the cost of inputs for farming had shot up from $340 to $550. He said marginal farmers were most effected and they were not in a capacity to procure fertilizers from the market. " The decision of the state government is nothing but implementation of BJP's agenda to create atmosphere to hand over the agriculture sector to corporates and others private players. He also reminded the government that more than 80 percent of farmers were directly associated with Cooperative societies. Maluka asked the Government to immediately withdraw its draconian notification to reduce share of selling fertilizers through cooperative societies and restore the old status. He said if the Congress government failed to take immediate action and restore the status quo then the SAD would launch an agitation to ensure justice to farmers. (editor@dailyworld.in)