The political row over the Centre’s push for 20% ethanol-blended fuel in vehicles intensified on Thursday after Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener Arvind Kejriwal alleged a similar plan for aviation turbine fuel (ATF). Union civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, however, dismissed the allegation as “false and irresponsible”.
The Centre’s nationwide rollout of 20% ethanol blended petrol (E20) has raised widespread concerns over its impact on older vehicles.
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In a Facebook post earlier in the day, Kejriwal alleged that sources indicated the Narendra Modi-led government “plans to mix ethanol in ATF”. “Experts say that this could seriously compromise the safety of flights,” he said.
Separately on X, the former Delhi chief minister said it seems the Centre is “going to adulterate petrol with more than 50%”. “They’re just waiting right now for the atmosphere to calm down. First, they forced E20 petrol into yourE0 and E10 vehicles and wrecked them. Today, if you buy a new E20 vehicle, the government will force E50 petrol into it after a few days and wreck it,” he said.
{{/usCountry}}Separately on X, the former Delhi chief minister said it seems the Centre is “going to adulterate petrol with more than 50%”. “They’re just waiting right now for the atmosphere to calm down. First, they forced E20 petrol into yourE0 and E10 vehicles and wrecked them. Today, if you buy a new E20 vehicle, the government will force E50 petrol into it after a few days and wreck it,” he said.
{{/usCountry}}Also Read | No decision yet on ethanol blending beyond E20: Government tells Parliament
“The government is soon going to adulterate diesel too. So for now, avoid buying new petrol and diesel vehicles for a few years,” he added.
BJP hits out
Taking note of his claims,BJP's IT department head Amit Malviya said spreading "fake news" and creating undue "panic" was the AAP leader’s "old habit".
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“Now, a new lie is being spread that the government will secretly mix more than 50% ethanol into petrol, and people's vehicles will turn into scrap,” he said.He also said the Centre has clearly stated that there was no decision on ethanol mixing beyond E20.
Malviya further said that the Centre has clarified that no decisionhas yet been taken to increase ethanol blending in petrol beyond E20. “If such a proposal ever arises in the future, it will only happen after extensive scientific studies, technical testing, and consultations with vehicle manufacturers, oil marketing companies, and other stakeholders,” he wrote on X.
“Arvind Kejriwal has the right to do politics, but scaring the public with lies is not acceptable. Read the facts, trust science and evidence, not rumors,” he added.
Kejriwal, however, hit back, saying: “I'm glad you've acknowledged that the decision hasn't been taken ‘yet’.”
Centre steps in
Amid the war of words between the two political leaders,Kinjarapu later in the day termed Kejriwal’s allegation “completelyfalse and irresponsible”.
“Ethanol and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) are entirely different and should not be conflated. SAF is an internationally certified aviation fuel recognised by International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and adopted globally. It undergoes rigorous testing and meets stringent global safety standards,” he said.
“Spreading misinformation on aviation safety only creates needless anxiety among air travellers. Passenger safety remains the Government's highest priority,” he added.