Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal will hold his second Townhall in Goa against E20-Blended Petrol on Tuesday, bringing together people who have been affected by the fuel blend. The Townhall will be held at 3 PM at Vivanta Banquet Hall in Miramar, where people are expected to share their experiences and raise their voices against E20. They can also send their concerns on WhatsApp at 7669803441.
The AAP Chief revealed that diverting sugarcane towards ethanol production has pushed sugar prices from ₹45 to ₹70 per kg, while E20 is simultaneously damaging people’s vehicles. He said the government is imposing decisions on people without assessing their consequences.
Addressing a press conference, AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal said, “The last time I came to Goa, I held a press conference on E20 and spoke about how badly people are being affected by E20 petrol. People’s engines are getting damaged because of E20 petrol, fuel systems are getting damaged, and vehicle mileage is dropping substantially. After that, I released a video asking people to write to us, connect with us and share their experiences. We received thousands of WhatsApp messages and thousands of comments. People are ready to join us.”
Highlighting another consequence of the ethanol policy, the AAP Chief stated, “Another development has taken place during this period. Almost 25 lakh tonnes of sugarcane that would otherwise have been used for sugar production has been diverted towards ethanol production. That is why sugar prices have increased across the country.”
He noted, “On July 31, sugar was priced at ₹45 per kg in the country, although there may be slight variations from place to place. But now the price has crossed ₹70. Sugar prices have increased by ₹25 per kg in just one month. This shows that the Modi government is a government made of uneducated people. When they started diverting sugarcane towards ethanol, their experts should at least have calculated that if so much sugarcane was being diverted for ethanol, there would be a corresponding shortage of sugar. Where would the sugar come from?”
Pointing to the wider impact, Arvind Kejriwal asserted, “Now sugar has also become expensive. People are suffering because of adulterated petrol, and there is no saving of foreign exchange either. They had said that by reducing petrol consumption and using ethanol, we would save petrol and therefore save foreign exchange. But now we are importing sugar. We are importing maize. So whatever foreign exchange was supposedly saved on one side is not being saved at all. The entire country is suffering because of E20 blended petrol, and sugar has become expensive.”
Taking a sharp swipe at the government, he added, “I do not think a more foolish and stupid government has ever existed in the last 75 years. Tomorrow, we are holding a townhall on this issue in Goa, in this very hall. A large number of people from Goa will join. Those of you watching this programme, if you also want to join the townhall, it will be held tomorrow at 3 PM. Please come. Your voice will reach far and wide. The entire media is invited. Only when all of us come together and fight collectively will these people be forced to listen.”
Inviting people to raise their concerns, he stated, “A lot of people have written about their respective problems. So tomorrow people will come and put forward their problems as well. We are also issuing a WhatsApp number today. You can message us on this number and tell us about your problems. You can tell us anything. Let us all join hands and demand this from the government. The Modi government listens only when everyone comes together and makes a demand. The WhatsApp number is +91 76698 03441.”
