Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal has led a protest march towards the Prime Minister’s residence in New Delhi, opposing the implementation of the E20 petrol policy. This demonstration took place on August 4, when Kejriwal urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to resist pressures allegedly exerted by US President Donald Trump. The AAP leader called for a halt to ethanol imports from the United States and urged the government to refrain from imposing E20 fuel across the nation.

During the protest, Kejriwal expressed his concerns, stating that the Prime Minister should not yield to external influences. He highlighted that they have reached out to PM Modi and expressed their desire for a dialogue regarding the matter. He emphasised the importance of continuing their struggle against the policy imposed upon the Indian populace.

Concerns Raised by AAP Leaders

AAP leader Anurag Dhanda also voiced significant apprehensions during the protest. He claimed that the E20 petrol policy has caused considerable distress among vehicle owners, alleging that approximately 30 crore vehicles could be at risk of damage due to ethanol-blended fuel. Dhanda remarked that there seems to be a disconnect between the Prime Minister and the grievances of the citizens, who are reportedly facing hardships related to this policy.

In an interview, Dhanda lamented, “People are very upset; they are in trouble. Thirty crore vehicles are on the verge of being damaged, and the Prime Minister is not listening to anyone.” He further alleged that the push for ethanol blending is influenced by external pressures, labelling the introduction of ethanol as inappropriate and insisting that public concerns should be acknowledged by the Prime Minister.

AAP representatives have framed their protest as a fight for the rights and safety of the nation’s vehicle owners. They insist that the current policy is endangering the reliability of millions of vehicles and undermining public welfare.

Government’s Stance on Ethanol Blending Policy

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has countered the protestors’ claims and defended the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme. The ministry indicated that without the implementation of the ethanol blending policy, petrol prices could have reached ₹125 per litre during peaks in global crude oil prices. They maintained that the policy offers significant financial relief to citizens amidst fluctuating international market conditions.

In a statement, the ministry noted, “The result? Nearly ₹30 per litre in savings at the pump during the peak of the crisis.” They highlighted that the value of ethanol blending is not solely about cost-effectiveness but about fortifying India’s energy security and retaining a greater portion of fuel expenditure within the national economy.

The Ministry also rebutted assertions that the ethanol blending initiative relies on taxpayer subsidies. They labelled the project as an “energy insurance” for India, reinforcing their claim that it has effectively managed the economic challenges recently faced due to international disruptions.

Long or Short, get news the way you like. No ads. No redirections. Download Newspin and Stay Alert, The CSR Journal Mobile app, for fast, crisp, clean updates!

App Store –  https://apps.apple.com/in/app/newspin/id6746449540 

Google Play Store – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.inventifweb.newspin&pcampaignid=web_share