Pune, Aug 9 (PTI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday defended the ethanol blending policy, saying the criticism is based on insufficient evidence.
“Automobile companies have invited consumers to provide evidence if vehicles develop problems because of ethanol-blended petrol, but no one has come forward with such evidence so far,” Fadnavis said in Kolhapur.
He said ethanol production had opened a new direction for sugar factories, adding that various decisions by the government would ensure better utilisation of resources and reduce waste in the sugar industry.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener Arvind Kejriwal had alleged that the government forcibly imposed the E20 policy without upgrading infrastructure or ensuring that existing vehicles were compatible with the higher ethanol blend.
The Centre has defended its ethanol blending programme, saying extensive testing and large-scale field experience had found no evidence that E20 (blended with 20 per cent ethanol) petrol causes abnormal engine wear, corrosion or reduced vehicle life. PTI COR NSK
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