Nitin Gadkari Alleges Paid Campaign Against Him Over E20 Fuel
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari says criticism of the E20 ethanol-blended petrol rollout is part of a “paid and politically motivated campaign” aimed at discrediting him. He argues that automobile manufacturers, the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), and the Supreme Court have cleared the use of E20 fuel, so claims against it lack factual basis.
Opposition By Petrol Lobby
Gadkari accused the “petrol lobby” and other vested interests of generating misinformation about E20 fuel. He denied that the fuel blend causes engine damage, saying trials—including on older cars—showed the contrary.
Technical Endorsements
He said technical bodies like SIAM and regulatory courts have affirmed that E20 is safe. The Supreme Court dismissed a Public Interest Litigation challenging the E20 policy, which lends legal backing to the government’s stance.
Concerns From Users
Critics, including vehicle owners and some experts, have complained that the shift to E20 has led to reduced fuel efficiency, possible engine wear for older vehicles, and confusion about whether cars are E20-compatible. These concerns are part of what Gadkari is calling the “misinformation” campaign.
