Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has voiced support for a campaign seeking greater consumer choice in the sale of petrol blended with ethanol (E20), urging the Centre to address concerns raised by vehicle owners.
Bhagwant Mann Backs Demand for Choice Between Pure Petrol and E20 Fuel
In a social media post, Mann said many people, including motorcycle and car owners, are facing problems that he attributed to the use of E20 petrol. He alleged that motorists across the country are struggling with vehicle-related issues because of the fuel and called for immediate intervention by the Central government.
Mann said Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi outlining two key demands. The first is to allow consumers the option of choosing between conventional petrol and E20 fuel at filling stations, while the second is to reduce the retail price of E20 petrol.
Punjab Chief Minister said consumers should have the freedom to decide
The Punjab Chief Minister said consumers should have the freedom to decide which type of fuel best suits their vehicles. He argued that making both fuel options available would enable motorists to make informed choices based on their vehicle specifications and personal requirements.
Appealing for public participation, Mann urged people to support an online campaign by signing a petition in favour of the demands. He said greater public support would help strengthen the issue before the Central government and encourage policymakers to reconsider the current approach to E20 fuel.
The remarks come amid an ongoing political debate over the implementation of ethanol-blended petrol in India. While the AAP has raised concerns over its impact on vehicles and fuel costs, the Central government has promoted ethanol blending as part of its strategy to reduce dependence on imported crude oil, enhance energy security, support sugarcane farmers, and lower carbon emissions.
