Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday strongly defended the Centre’s ethanol-blending programme, rejecting allegations of conflict of interest and maintaining that the policy has not caused damage to vehicles. He also challenged critics to produce evidence of any petrol-powered vehicle being harmed by E20 fuel, while asserting that the initiative is aimed at reducing fuel imports, promoting cleaner fuels and improving farmers’ incomes.
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In an exclusive interview with India Today TV, Gadkari dismissed allegations that he had a personal stake in the ethanol programme, saying his family’s sugar business predated the government’s ethanol policy and that his share in ethanol production was negligible.
“I gain nothing from the ethanol policy. My share in ethanol production is just 0.07 per cent. With such a small stake, there is no question of any significant financial benefit,” he said, rejecting claims that he stood to gain from the ethanol programme.
Rejecting allegations of conflict of interest, Gadkari said, “The charge that I framed the ethanol policy for my own benefit is completely baseless. A person with a 0.07 per cent stake cannot influence the country’s ethanol policy for personal gain.”
The minister said India currently produces nearly 1,500 crore litres of ethanol annually through around 550 ethanol-producing units, of which his share is only 0.07 per cent.
Gadkari said he has always advocated alternative fuels rather than ethanol alone, arguing that the policy reduces dependence on imported crude oil while benefiting farmers.
“I don’t talk only about ethanol. I talk about alternative fuels. The use of ethanol will benefit farmers,” he said.
Emphasising that the policy was framed collectively, Gadkari said ethanol blending was not a decision taken by him alone, but one that involved extensive consultation and scientific evaluation.
“I didn’t make the decision on ethanol alone. The entire process is conducted after consultation with the Petroleum Ministry, the Cabinet, and scientific research,” he argued.
Responding to claims that ethanol-blended fuel damages vehicles, Gadkari challenged critics to produce evidence.
“If anyone’s vehicle has been damaged because of ethanol, they should file a complaint with the dealer and also with my ministry. We will investigate and provide relief,” he said.
He added, “Can you name even two people personally known to you whose petrol vehicles were damaged because of ethanol?”
Gadkari said manufacturers such as Maruti Suzuki, Toyota, Tata Motors and Mahindra had not reported complaints linking ethanol-blended fuel to vehicle damage.
Referring to a recent case involving a Toyota vehicle, he said the investigation found water contamination rather than ethanol was responsible for the malfunction.
“This is not a pilot project. Vehicles undergo testing for four years and run for lakhs of kilometres before approval is granted,” he said.
Calling the controversy politically motivated, Gadkari said there was “an attempt to malign me and discredit the ethanol programme”.
He also noted that ethanol is already being used in countries such as the US, Brazil, Japan, Germany, Thailand and Sweden, saying India’s policy follows globally accepted practices rather than an experimental model.
The Union Transport Minister’s remarks come amid an ongoing debate over the impact of E20 petrol on fuel efficiency and the compatibility of older vehicles.
While the government maintains there is no proven evidence that E20 fuel damages vehicles, concerns have continued to be raised by some vehicle owners and industry observers over its long-term effects on vehicles that were originally designed for lower ethanol blends.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
