India fuel dispute: Ministers clash over ethanol blending levels

Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi and Karnataka Minister Rizwan Arshad have engaged in a heated dispute regarding the concentration of ethanol in petrol. Speaking in Hubballi, Joshi dismissed claims by the Congress party that petrol contains up to 39 percent ethanol, stating that India does not produce that much ethanol. He characterized the state government's assertions as misinformation and argued that the central government's ethanol blending initiatives support the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' mission and farmers.

Minister Rizwan Arshad responded by rejecting personal attacks and calling for a transparent, independent verification system. Arshad questioned the economic rationale behind increasing ethanol blending, noting that ethanol is more expensive than pure petrol. He raised concerns regarding vehicle compatibility with high-ethanol blends and suggested that the financial burden of this policy might fall on citizens, with potential losses estimated at 1.01 lakh crore rupees annually. Arshad demanded that consumers be given a choice between E10, E20, and pure petrol.