Nitin Gadkari: Ethanol a small share of sons' business, attacks motivated
Indian Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari has dismissed allegations of conflict of interest regarding his promotion of ethanol-blended fuel. He stated that his sons' business involvement is minimal and that his support for alternative fuels is driven by national interests like reducing pollution and import costs.
Why it matters
The controversy touches on the intersection of government policy, environmental sustainability, and political accountability in India's energy sector.
NEW DELHI: Nitin Gadkari rejected allegations of a conflict of interest and personal gain over his push for the ethanol blending programme. The road transport and highways minister said he had always backed alternative fuels to reduce vehicular pollution and India's import bill.Gadkari said the attacks are "politically motivated". He told TOI that his sons' business had a small share of ethanol and their contribution to the overall kitty was meagre. Besides, he said, the business had a debt of Rs 1,600 crore and he was in no way associated with it or in fixing the price or its procurement.The minister insisted the ethanol blending programme dated back to the days of the Vajpayee govt and was also backed by UPA administration, with then oil minister Mani Shankar Aiyar supporting it in Parliament.He asserted that he has not just supported ethanol from sugarcane, but also from maize, stubble and bamboo.…
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