Kejriwal Writes to PM Modi Seeking Meeting Over E20 Petrol, Demands Pure Fuel Option
Digital desk
Arvind Kejriwal has taken the government's E20 petrol rollout directly to the top, writing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday and requesting a meeting to raise what he says are widespread public concerns about the ethanol-blended fuel.
In his letter, the AAP national convenor and former Delhi Chief Minister argued that E20 petrol has caused problems for vehicles manufactured before 2023 that weren't originally designed to run on the blend, citing reduced mileage, faster engine wear and added financial strain on owners of older cars and two-wheelers. His central demand is straightforward: that petrol stations offer consumers a genuine choice between pure petrol and E20-blended fuel, rather than E20 being the only option available at the pump. He's also asked for E20 to be priced lower than regular petrol, arguing that its lower calorific value already means reduced mileage for users, and that the pricing should reflect that shortfall.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the letter becoming public, Kejriwal pushed back against how the government has characterised critics of the E20 rollout, saying people raising concerns about the fuel are simply citizens voicing genuine grievances rather than acting against the country's interest, and that they deserve to be heard rather than dismissed. He said democratic government requires listening to public concerns and acting on them, not brushing them aside.
Kejriwal said the party has launched an online petition asking citizens to share their direct experiences with E20 petrol, particularly around mileage, and that he intends to present the collected responses to the Prime Minister once a meeting is granted. He has also asked AAP workers and volunteers to visit petrol pumps and service stations directly, talk to consumers about their experiences, and document those conversations on social media.
E20 petrol — a blend containing 20 percent ethanol — has been rolled out nationally as part of the government's ethanol-blending programme, aimed at cutting fuel import costs and vehicular emissions. The programme has drawn periodic criticism from vehicle owners and some opposition leaders over compatibility concerns with older engines, though the Centre has maintained that BS-VI-compliant vehicles from recent years are built to handle the blend without issues.
As of Tuesday, neither the Prime Minister's Office nor the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas had responded publicly to Kejriwal's letter or confirmed whether the requested meeting would take place.
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Kejriwal Writes to PM Modi Seeking Meeting Over E20 Petrol, Demands Pure Fuel Option
Digital desk
In his letter, the AAP national convenor and former Delhi Chief Minister argued that E20 petrol has caused problems for vehicles manufactured before 2023 that weren't originally designed to run on the blend, citing reduced mileage, faster engine wear and added financial strain on owners of older cars and two-wheelers. His central demand is straightforward: that petrol stations offer consumers a genuine choice between pure petrol and E20-blended fuel, rather than E20 being the only option available at the pump. He's also asked for E20 to be priced lower than regular petrol, arguing that its lower calorific value already means reduced mileage for users, and that the pricing should reflect that shortfall.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the letter becoming public, Kejriwal pushed back against how the government has characterised critics of the E20 rollout, saying people raising concerns about the fuel are simply citizens voicing genuine grievances rather than acting against the country's interest, and that they deserve to be heard rather than dismissed. He said democratic government requires listening to public concerns and acting on them, not brushing them aside.
Kejriwal said the party has launched an online petition asking citizens to share their direct experiences with E20 petrol, particularly around mileage, and that he intends to present the collected responses to the Prime Minister once a meeting is granted. He has also asked AAP workers and volunteers to visit petrol pumps and service stations directly, talk to consumers about their experiences, and document those conversations on social media.
E20 petrol — a blend containing 20 percent ethanol — has been rolled out nationally as part of the government's ethanol-blending programme, aimed at cutting fuel import costs and vehicular emissions. The programme has drawn periodic criticism from vehicle owners and some opposition leaders over compatibility concerns with older engines, though the Centre has maintained that BS-VI-compliant vehicles from recent years are built to handle the blend without issues.
As of Tuesday, neither the Prime Minister's Office nor the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas had responded publicly to Kejriwal's letter or confirmed whether the requested meeting would take place.
