E20 Ethanol Blend Defended After Officials Invite Specific Car Example

At the Developed India Conclave, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari defended the 20% ethanol‑petrol mixture (E20) against a wave of social‑media rumors. He urged anyone alleging that the blend damages vehicles to name just one car that was adversely affected. He dismissed suggestions that E20 leads to poorer mileage or engine failures, calling them "paid campaigning" aimed at misleading the public. Gadkari reminded the audience that India still spends roughly 22 lakh crore rupees on petroleum imports each year, and that embracing ethanol made from sugarcane, corn and rice can curb that outflow while also cutting greenhouse gas emissions. The minister pointed out that the ethanol programme has already met its 20% target, and that it has injected an estimated 45,000 crore rupees into the pockets of farmers in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, strengthening rural economies.