NEW DELHI: Inspired by Cockroach Janta Party’s campaign over the NEET paper leak that led to Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation as education minister, a new outfit – E20 Janta Party – has stepped into the ring, demanding consumers be given the opt-ion of buying 100% petrol and seeking the resignation of road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari.The campaign has found support among transporters, with Delhi Taxi and Tourist Transporters and Tour Operators Association announcing a march to Parliament against E20 petrol on Aug 4. The association alleged that the ethanol-blending policy has reduced fuel efficiency, increased maintenance costs and affected engine performance, particularly in older vehicles.E20 Janta Party, which gained more than 25,000 followers on X in a few hours Sunday, said it was not seeking subsidies, free fuel or withdrawal of ethanol-blended petrol, but only demanding that consumers be given the choice to buy the fuel they want.
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It also demanded transparent fuel labelling so consumers knew what they were buying, publication of data on the costs, benefits and impact of fuel blends, and independent studies on mileage, engine performance, emissions and maintenance costs.Although ethanol-free 100-octane premium petrol has long been available in the country, it is sold only at select fuel stations and costs Rs 169 per litre, compared with Rs 102.12 per litre for standard E20 fuel (in Delhi).Minister of state for petr-oleum Suresh Gopi told Parliament last week that govt had not received “widespread or substantiated” complaints on ethanol-blended petrol affecting vehicle performance.
