Nitin Gadkari’s open challenge to critics on E20 petrol!

Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday defended the country’s E20 petrol program and openly challenged its critics. He said that if 20 percent ethanol mixed petrol (E20) has caused damage to any vehicle, then people should name only one such car. He termed claims like E20 reducing mileage or causing damage to vehicles as part of a “paid campaign”.

Addressing the ‘Developed India Conclave’ organized in the national capital, Gadkari said that there is no evidence available of E20 petrol causing harm to vehicles.

He said, “There has not been a single case of any car malfunctioning due to E20 petrol in the country. If any car has had problems with E20 petrol, then just tell its name.”

Gadkari alleged that misinformation was being deliberately spread against E20 petrol and that it was a sponsored (paid) campaign.

He said, “False stories are being spread about high ethanol blended petrol. These are all paid campaigns.”

Supporting the ethanol blending programme, Gadkari said India is still dependent on fossil fuels in large quantities, which puts pressure on both the country’s economy and environment.

He said that India imports petroleum fuel worth about Rs 22 lakh crore every year. In such a situation, adopting clean and alternative fuels is very important to strengthen the energy security of the country and reduce dependence on imports.

He said that ethanol blended petrol will not only reduce the import of crude oil but will also help in reducing carbon emissions.

Gadkari said that India has already achieved the target of 20 percent ethanol blending (E20) in petrol. Ethanol is produced from organic sources such as sugarcane, corn and rice and is considered a more eco-friendly fuel than conventional petrol.

During the programme, Gadkari also responded to allegations that his family’s business interests are linked to the government’s ethanol policy.

He admitted that his family members are associated with sugar mills, but clarified that their business is not dependent on ethanol production.

Gadkari said that farmers have got the biggest benefit of the ethanol blending program.

He said that due to this scheme, additional income of about Rs 45,000 crore has reached the pockets of farmers of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, which has strengthened their economic condition.