New Delhi: The Delhi Taxi and Tourist Transport and Tour Operators Association on Tuesday announced that it will hold a protest march to Parliament on August 4, demanding the withdrawal of the Centre’s E20 ethanol-blended fuel policy. The announcement comes shortly after the conclusion of the nationwide CJP protests over the anti-paper leak law.
The association alleged that the mandatory use of 20 per cent ethanol-blended petrol (E20) could damage vehicles and impose an additional financial burden on motorists, particularly taxi operators and owners of petrol-CNG vehicles.
Association Demands Rollback of E20 Policy
Association President Sanjay Samrat said the organisation has been raising concerns over the ethanol-blended fuel policy for several years. He claimed that blending petrol with 20 per cent ethanol could reduce vehicle efficiency and increase maintenance costs.
Samrat alleged that lakhs of motorcycles, private cars and taxis operating on petrol and CNG across the country could be adversely affected if the policy continues. The association has demanded that the Centre completely withdraw the E20 fuel mandate.
Government Says No Assessment Conducted
Meanwhile, the Centre informed Parliament on Monday that no assessment has been carried out to determine the percentage of vehicles in the country that are fully compatible with E20 fuel.
Responding to a question in Parliament, Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi said the government has not conducted such an assessment.
However, he maintained that the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme has been implemented in a phased and scientifically validated manner in consultation with NITI Aayog, automobile manufacturers, Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs), the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) and other technical institutions.
Parliament Protest Planned for August 4
The Delhi Taxi and Tourist Transport and Tour Operators Association said members from across the national capital will participate in the protest march to Parliament on August 4 to press for the withdrawal of the E20 policy and seek greater clarity on its impact on existing vehicles.
The government has consistently maintained that ethanol blending is aimed at reducing India’s dependence on imported crude oil, cutting emissions and supporting domestic farmers by increasing demand for ethanol production.