CHANDIGARH, Aug. 4 -- Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday accused the Centre of imposing E20 ethanol-blended petrol on vehicle owners without adequate scientific research or public consultation, alleging that the policy was driven by commitments under the India-US trade agreement rather than public interest.

Speaking in the Punjab Assembly while replying to a discussion on a resolution seeking suspension of the mandatory rollout of E20 fuel for vehicles not originally designed for it, Mann said the Centre had itself admitted in Parliament that E20 fuel reduces vehicle mileage, yet proceeded with its implementation without conducting proper studies or obtaining certification from engineering institutions or IITs regarding its impact on vehicle engines.

Calling the move a matter of "grave concern", Mann alleged that engines designed for E10 petrol had been shifted to E20 despite widespread objections. He claimed the policy was placing an unnecessary financial burden on vehicle owners, many of whom purchase vehicles after years of savings or through EMIs.

Citing findings from a survey of over 45,000 vehicles, the Chief Minister claimed that 67 per cent of vehicle owners reported a significant drop in mileage, while 45 per cent experienced engine-related problems after using E20 fuel. Describing the policy as "open loot" of the common man's hard-earned money, Mann said consumers were now being forced to spend additional amounts on vehicle repairs.

Mann said more than two lakh signatures had been collected through a public petition, which AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal would submit to the Prime Minister. He also questioned the Centre over what he described as an abrupt advancement of the E20 rollout from its earlier target of 2030 to 2026. He alleged that the decision was linked to the India-US trade deal, claiming India would increase ethanol imports from nearly one billion litres to five billion litres over the next five years, amounting to nearly USD 20 billion.

Mann demanded that consumers be given the option to choose between pure petrol and E20 at fuel stations and called for a reduction in E20 prices. mpost

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.