LUCKNOW, July 8 -- Ajay Rai, Uttar Pradesh Congress chief, has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding scientific, economic, and public interest-based re-evaluation of the policy on ethanol-blended fuels and ensuring complete transparency in policy formulation. Use of 20% ethanol-blended petrol (E20) has been made mandatory nationwide. "If ethanol blending has reduced the cost of petrol, why haven't the benefits reached the consumers? It is a matter of economic security of crores of Indian families, the country's water resources, food security, the environment, the transport system, and public trust in government," the letter said. "Until the majority of vehicles are proven to be fully compatible with high ethanol blends, both options-regular petrol and ethanol-mixed petrol-should remain available to citizens," Rai demanded. He said the Centre is rapidly implementing ethanol blending (E20) in petrol and is also formulating policies for fuels with higher ethanol blends for the future. This is not merely a technical change but a decision that will impact lifelong savings of consumers in the years to come, he claimed. "There are over 350 million registered vehicles in the country, the majority of which belong to middle-class families, farmers, small traders, and taxi or auto-rickshaw drivers. Most citizens continue to use the same vehicle for 10 to 20 years after purchasing it. Can millions of people afford to repeatedly replace their vehicles," Rai asked. "If E20, E85 and E100 are indeed completely safe and represent the best fuels for the future, why aren't all independent scientific studies, test reports, and long-term engine test results regarding them made public?," he further asks. He said in India, ethanol is primarily produced from sugarcane products and, increasingly, from agricultural crops like maize. The cultivation of these crops and the production of ethanol require vast amounts of water. "At a time when many states in the country are grappling with a water crisis, a clear assessment of the long-term impact of the ethanol policy on groundwater, agriculture, and food security is essential." he added....