New Delhi: Just weeks after the controversy over the alleged leak of the medical entrance examination paper sparked nationwide protests and put the Narendra Modi-led government under intense scrutiny, the Centre is facing fresh criticism. This time, the focus is on its ambitious Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) programme, with concerns being raised over its implementation, impact and transparency.
Inspired by the online campaign of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), a new citizens' initiative called the E20 Janta Party has launched a social media campaign opposing ethanol-blended petrol and demanding that consumers be given the choice of purchasing 100 per cent petrol.
Like the CJP, the group is using social media platforms to amplify its campaign, arguing that motorists should not be compelled to use ethanol-blended fuel and should instead have the option of buying unblended petrol. The campaign has quickly gained traction, with the group's account on Instagram attracting more than 595,000 followers.
The campaign comes as the Centre pushes ahead with its Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) programme, a key component of India's energy strategy. The government aims to reduce the country's dependence on imported crude oil—which accounts for nearly 85 per cent of its oil consumption—and lower carbon emissions by increasing the use of ethanol produced from crops such as sugarcane, rice and maize.
Under the programme, state-run oil marketing companies currently blend 20 per cent ethanol with petrol before it is supplied to fuel stations across the country. However, the decision to increase the share of ethanol blended with petrol is facing ire from motorists who complain of reduced performance.
The issue has gained momentum with several opposition parties demanding an immediate end to the programme.
Last week, Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri met representatives of Team Bharat, a group leading the campaign against the Centre's E20 petrol policy. The organisation, headed by activist Tehseen Poonawalla, has been demanding that consumers be given the option of purchasing 100 per cent petrol. Poonawalla had announced a protest and hunger strike against the policy on Saturday, but was placed under house arrest by the Delhi Police ahead of the demonstration.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal too has opposed the implementation of the EBP programme, and conducted a national town hall programme against its implementation in the country.
Meanwhile, Delhi-based transport bodies have announced a protest march to the Parliament on August 4 demanding withdrawal of ethanol-blended petrol.
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