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Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri rejected the questions being raised on E20, said – safe and scientifically certified.

By Samira Vishwas

New Delhi, 9 July. Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has rejected the criticism regarding ethanol blended fuel (E20) and said that E20 petrol is completely scientifically tested, safe and internationally certified fuel. He alleged that the campaign to spread misinformation against ethanol blended fuel has intensified after the introduction of E85 fuel compatible vehicles.

Hardeep Singh Puri, in a post on social media platform ‘X’, said that E15 fuel is being used in India from April 2023, E19 from April 2024 and E20 fuel from April 2025. Despite its use on such a large scale, no major problems have emerged. He said, ‘More than 20 crore two-wheelers and more than 20 lakh four-wheelers in the country have been successfully running on E20 fuel for many years. Despite this, suddenly the campaign against ethanol blending has intensified.

Such criticisms began to increase after E85 fuel was launched.

He claimed that such criticisms started increasing after E85 fuel was launched for flex-fuel vehicles on June 5. He called it a major step towards reducing India’s dependence on imported crude oil. He said, ‘If we look at the time and events carefully, this pattern is difficult to ignore. Efforts to spread fear regarding ethanol blended fuels began soon after the introduction of E85 compatible vehicles.

Expansion of alternative domestic fuels is very important for the country’s energy security.

Hardeep Singh Puri said that India imports more than 85 percent of its crude oil needs and about 30 percent of the growth in global oil demand comes from India. In such a situation, expansion of alternative domestic fuels is very important for the energy security of the country. He further said, ‘Ethanol per liter added to petrol reduces crude oil imports, strengthens India’s energy security, helps in reducing air pollution, increases farmers’ income and saves foreign exchange.’

appears to be motivated by political reasons opposition to e20

The Union Minister described E20 as an extensively tested, scientifically proven, internationally accepted and completely safe fuel. He said that the ethanol blending program has worked to transform the country’s ‘Annadata’ farmers into ‘Urjadata’ as it has provided an additional source of income to the farmers. He also said that the ethanol blending program was started during the previous Congress government. In such a situation, the opposition to its rapid expansion now appears to be motivated by political reasons.

According to Puri, the program not only reduces India’s dependence on imported crude oil, but also makes the country more robust to risks arising from geopolitical tensions and fluctuations in global crude oil prices.

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