E20 fuel campaign on social media was paid and politically targeted, alleges Nitin Gadkari

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday said that the social media campaign against E20 fuel was paid and politically motivated to target him, adding that automobile manufacturing companies, SIAM and the Supreme Court had already cleared the blending of ethanol with petrol.

Talking at the SIAM Annual Convention, Gadkari said that E20 fuel is an import substitute, cost effective, pollution free and indigenous. "Rs 22 lakh crore worth fossil fuel is being imported. The Prime Minister dreams of Indian production," said Gadkari, adding that Rs 22 lakh crore can be added to the Indian economy through the programme.

"We decided to make ethanol from corn. This has profited farmers with Rs 45,000 crore. The rate of per quintal of corn has risen from Rs 1,200 to Rs 2,800," the minister said.


He said that this year, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar have produced three times more corn this year and added that India has a surplus of rice and wheat as well.

Focus on alternate and biofuel

Gadkari urged automakers to focus on vehicles running on alternative fuel. This, he said, will not only reduce pollution, but also help the industry to grow both domestically and in export markets. " Transport sector contributes to 40 per cent of air pollution. A KPMG report said that 81 per cent of goods movement happens through roads," Gadkari said.

The fossil fuel imports will rise even after switching to electric vehicles due to the rising demand, Gadkari said. He also thanked the auto industry to have moved from BS-4 engines to BS-6 engines, adding that the government will maintain international standards and will adopt BS-7 soon.