Amritsar, Aug. 2 -- Highlighting the economic benefits of the government's E20 (20 per cent ethanol-blended petrol) initiative, Rajinder Salwan, President of the Amritsar Rice Millers Association, on Sunday stated that the move is significantly boosting the income of farmers in Punjab and easing the operational burden on millers.

Speaking to ANI, Salwan said, "It (E20 blending) has helped farmers and eased the burden of millers."

Explaining how the blending program supports the state's agricultural economy, Salwan noted that paddy serves as the primary "investment crop" for farmers in Punjab.

"Punjab sees major paddy cultivation. People in Punjab consume less paddy. As far as paddy cultivation is concerned, about 5 kgs of seed is sown ...