Aam Aadmi Party national convener Arvind Kejriwal has targeted the Modi government over its E20 fuel policy, alleging that people are being prevented from raising their voices against it.
In a video posted on X, Kejriwal claimed that social media content criticising the E20 policy is being removed.
Kejriwal narrated a joke about a competition between the police forces of US President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to find a lion in a jungle. He said Trump’s police found the lion in 24 hours and Putin’s in an hour, while Modi’s police took several days. They were then allegedly found beating a dog and forcing it to say, “I am a lion.”
Kejriwal said the government had brought the country to a situation where “140 crore people are being beaten and told to say E20 is correct”.
He alleged that those opposing E20 have their pages removed, videos deleted and FIRs registered against them.
AAP asked govt to give people options on fuel
AAP has tried to corner the government over ethanol-blended fuel. The party has stated that the results of tests related to fuel quality and its compatibility with vehicles should be made public.
AAP has also said that people should have the option to choose fuel at petrol pumps. This should include the option to choose traditional petrol.
Petroleum Ministry clarified on social media claims
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas is continuously providing information on claims being made on social media regarding blended fuel. The ministry stated in June that some misleading and unsubstantiated claims regarding ethanol-blended petrol are being spread on social media.
The ministry had said that the purpose of these claims seems to be to confuse and mislead people. It said that the ethanol blending program is certified by scientific scrutiny and the government is continuously monitoring it.
Ethanol Blending Program started in 2003
According to the ministry, the ethanol blending program was launched in 2003. Its objectives were to reduce crude oil imports, enhance energy security, and make the environment sustainable.
The ministry said that based on technical preparedness and discussions with stakeholders, this program was implemented in a phased manner. Subsequently, petrol with 20% ethanol blend, i.e., E20, was implemented from 2023.
The ministry said that the government continuously monitors the implementation of the ethanol blending program by consulting with oil companies, vehicle manufacturers, fuel testing agencies, and other relevant stakeholders.
A statement issued by the ministry said, “Since the introduction of E20 petrol, no widespread problem of engine failure or vehicle breakdown due to ethanol blending has been reported.”
