New Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the central government over its ethanol production policy from sugarcane, claiming that the initiative has resulted in a shortage of sugar in the country.
In a post on social media platform X, the former Delhi Chief Minister stated that ethanol was produced from sugarcane to save foreign exchange spent on oil imports, but it has now created a sugar deficit. He added that the government will now end up using that same foreign exchange to import sugar.
Terming the dispensation a government “entirely run by illiterates,” Kejriwal alleged that no one in the administration understands the consequences of their policy decisions.
Kejriwal, who is spearheading AAP’s campaign against E20 fuel, also accused the Narendra Modi-led government of trying to suppress public criticism regarding the policy. In a video message on X, he alleged that social media content critical of E20 is being taken down, videos are being deleted, and FIRs are being registered against those raising their voices.
Using a joke involving police forces of international leaders to illustrate his point, Kejriwal claimed that 140 crore citizens are being pressured to say “E20 is right.”
The AAP has been attempting to corner the central government over ethanol-blended fuel, demanding that findings regarding fuel quality and vehicle compatibility be made public. The party has also demanded that consumers be given a choice at petrol pumps, including access to conventional petrol.
Responding to the criticism, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas stated on X that E20 petrol alone cannot be held responsible for changes in vehicle mileage. The ministry emphasized that E20 fuel has undergone extensive testing and validation. It added that real-world fuel economy depends on various factors, including driving habits, traffic conditions, vehicle maintenance, tire pressure, and air conditioning usage.
