Uttar Pradesh Congress Demands Accountability Over Ethanol Blended Petrol Policy

Congress Calls for Ministerial Accountability

Lucknow, July 27 - Ajay Rai, the president of the Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee, has written to the Prime Minister, citing the alleged failure of the ethanol blended petrol policy and the rising public discontent. He has called for the immediate removal of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, along with a fair investigation into the matter. According to a statement released by the party, Rai emphasized that he had previously requested necessary actions considering the scientific, economic, environmental, and consumer interests associated with the ethanol policy, demanding full transparency and independent scientific testing.

He noted that there has been no public response or decision regarding these concerns. Rai pointed out that instead of addressing these issues, the government appears to be advancing towards policies like E85 and E100 following E20. This has led to a perception that the government is prioritizing the continuation of this policy, disregarding the concerns of consumers with over 350 million registered vehicles in India.

The state president remarked that the rationale behind the ethanol blending policy was to reduce dependence on imported oil, benefit farmers, and provide consumers with cheaper fuel. However, currently, ethanol blended petrol is available at prices comparable to regular petrol.

In his letter, Rai highlighted a common belief that if petrol was found to be mixed with water, kerosene, or other substances, the petrol pump would be held accountable. However, since the blending is now conducted by oil companies, there is no clear accountability for any technical issues, reduced mileage, or engine damage that may arise in vehicles. This situation has led to disputes regarding insurance claims and vehicle warranties.

Rai stated that while his earlier correspondence focused solely on the need for independent scientific testing, transparency, and public interest, the issue has now escalated to one of ministerial accountability. He accused the relevant ministries of failing to provide satisfactory answers to these serious questions, protect public interest, and establish full transparency in policy-making.

He reiterated his demand for the immediate removal of Nitin Gadkari and Hardeep Singh Puri from their positions and called for an impartial investigation into the matter, including an independent inquiry into potential conflicts of interest related to the ethanol policy.