New Delhi : Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday claimed he was a victim of a “paid political campaign” on social media amid vehement pushback against the government’s ethanol-blended fuel rollout. Speaking at the 65th annual convention of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) in Delhi, Gadkari said concerns about E20 petrol, which blends 20 per cent ethanol with conventional fuel, were being exaggerated online.
The Minister has faced growing backlash on social media in recent weeks over ethanol blending, with motorists claiming the fuel reduces mileage and harms older vehicles not built for higher ethanol blends. Industry experts and some service garages have also reported complaints from owners of pre-2023 models.
But Gadkari has consistently touted its efficacy and benefits. In August, at the Business Today India@100 Summit, he had challenged critics to “show a single instance” of a car being damaged by E20, saying neither the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) nor SIAM had flagged any verified case of harm.
We took the decision to produce ethanol from maize. As a result, maize cultivation in UP, Bihar, and across the country has tripled, he said. India’s agricultural growth rate has traditionally been low. This diversification of agriculture into the energy and power sector directly benefits farmers and strengthens the economy, there is nothing wrong with it.
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