‘Difference in the policy of 15% methanol…’, Congress accuses the government of spreading wrong information, asks questions

Congress, which is looking for an issue to corner the Centre, has now asked the government a question regarding mixing of 15 percent methanol in E20 petrol and diesel. Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala has said that there is a huge lack of coordination in this plan of the Centre.

While posting on X, he wrote that Respected Prime Minister and Nitin Gadkari ji. The BJP government has spread many falsehoods, wrong facts and incomplete information about E20 petrol fuel blend.

He said that Nitin Gadkari’s interview on Tuesday, the press release of the Petroleum Ministry from June 23 to July 10 and several press conferences have revealed the reality. Modi government wanted to confuse people through technical terms.

He said, ‘I am expressing here the genuine concerns of the people of India and the 36 crore registered vehicle owners who have two/three/four wheelers. NITI Aayog’s 2021 ‘Ethanol Blending’ Roadmap recognizes that rubber and plastic parts in existing petrol vehicles are not compatible with E20 fuel blend. This will require (i) material compatibility (ii) engine tuned for E20.

Apart from this, he said that in the 2021 roadmap of NITI Aayog, it has been said that we should launch vehicles compatible with E-20 material from April 2023 and vehicles compatible with E20 engine from April 2025.

Surjewala has asked many questions to the government

Firing questions, the Congress leader asked, the first question is – has the Government of India listened to its own NITI Aayog and Roadmap 2021 in the matter of material compatibility and E20 compatible engines? If not, why?

Surjewala said the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) report, which has not been published, states that E20 causes rapid deterioration of fuel system components made of rubber – such as hoses, gaskets, seals and O-rings. Gadkari has also accepted this.

The second question is why is Modi government implementing E20 fuel blend in petrol? Whereas it has not confirmed whether the 36 crore vehicles are material-wise and engine-wise suitable for using E20 petrol or not? Why is all this not being spent on the government?

Apart from this, Surjewala said that this is an accepted fact. The average mileage of vehicles reduces with E-20 petrol fuel blend. The Union Minister has also accepted this in the interview. The government also believes that there is a 5 percent reduction in fuel mileage. If people are to be believed, this is a reduction of more than 15 percent.

Case of conviction of former MP Congress MLA Rajendra Bharti, High Court gave a big decision

Why is the government not telling the average fuel price and its effect on vehicles?

Surjewala said that why is the Modi government not clearly telling the fuel average and its impact of using E-20 petrol fuel blend? Isn’t it true that fuel mileage loss is even greater in city driving conditions? Surjewala has said in his statement that flex engine technology is required for E-20 petrol fuel blend.

Apart from this, Surjewala asked the next question that what will happen to about 36 crore vehicle owners whose vehicles are made according to Flex Engine Technology? The price of ethanol is Rs 75 per liter. The price of petrol in Delhi is Rs 102.12 per liter. In many states it is more than Rs 110 per litre.

Putting forth the fifth question on behalf of the party, Surjewala asked that when the E-20 petrol fuel blend contains 80 percent petrol and 20 percent ethanol, then why are the prices of this petrol not 20 percent less for the common people? Why is the government mixing ethanol of Rs 75 per liter and selling it at Rs 102 per litre? The central government and Nitin Gadkari are now talking about 15 percent methanol diesel blend. This is based on the production of 700 tonnes of methanol from the Petro Refinery of Assam at a cost of Rs 20 to Rs 22 per litre.

Will the use of sugarcane and paddy for ethanol affect the food system?

Apart from this, Surjewala asked whether the Modi government is going to implement 15 percent methanol diesel fuel blend for all diesel vehicles? The Modi government is supplying paddy from its grain reserves to the ethanol plant at a subsidized price of Rs 2,320 per quintal.

Apart from this, asking the seventh question, Surjewala said that will not the excessive use of PDS rice and sugarcane to make ethanol affect our food security? He said that according to the National Policy on Biofuel-2018, 20 percent blending of ethanol has started in 2025-26.

Surjewala asked the eighth question that why did the Modi government not pay attention to all the concerns? The country and 36 crore vehicle owners need serious answers, not press releases.

‘I am an inspector, I will remain an inspector…’, policeman folded hands in front of Chandrashekhar Azad