File photo: Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann addresses the House
NEW DELHI: The Punjab Assembly on Tuesday passed a resolution opposing the Centre’s E20 ethanol-blended fuel policy, expressing concern that the use of E20 fuel could damage vehicles that are not compatible with the higher ethanol blend.Punjab finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema moved the resolution on the second day of the monsoon session of the Assembly, questioning why the Centre advanced the rollout of the E20 fuel policy to 2026 instead of its earlier target of 2030.He also alleged that the BJP-led Union government had implemented the policy under pressure from the United States, the world’s largest ethanol producer.Participating in the debate, chief minister Bhagwant Mann claimed that E20 fuel had been “imposed” on the people without recommendations from experts.”There has been no expert study on the use of E20,” Mann said, alleging that vehicles were getting damaged because of the blended fuel.Questioning the Centre’s decision to accelerate the policy, Mann asked why E20, originally slated for implementation in 2030, was introduced in 2026.”Why was there such a hurry in its implementation?” he asked.The chief minister also demanded that consumers should have the choice of purchasing either E20 petrol or pure petrol at fuel stations instead of being compelled to use ethanol-blended fuel.
Resolution comes amid AAP’s nationwide campaign
The Assembly resolution comes amid the Aam Aadmi Party’s nationwide campaign against the E20 fuel policy.Earlier in the day, AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal led a march towards the Prime Minister’s residence in Delhi with more than 2.30 lakh petitions opposing E20 petrol before the protesters were stopped by Delhi Police.
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The party has been demanding that consumers be given the option to choose between pure petrol and E20 fuel, while also seeking lower prices for E20 if the government intends to promote its use.After the protest, Kejriwal alleged that the Centre had refused to meet the delegation despite a request for an appointment made a month ago.He claimed the government itself had acknowledged in Parliament that fuel efficiency declines with E20 and that certain engine components are affected.AAP plans to move similar resolutions against the E20 policy in the Assemblies of Gujarat, Goa and Jammu and Kashmir.The party has also held an “Ethanol Town Hall” and launched a nationwide signature campaign against the policy, arguing that vehicle owners should not be forced to use ethanol-blended fuel without adequate safeguards.
