'Why the hurry?' Punjab passes anti-E20 resolution, says Centre under US pressure
The Punjab Assembly passed a resolution opposing the central government's E20 ethanol-blended fuel policy, citing concerns over vehicle damage and lack of expert study. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is leading a broader campaign demanding consumer choice between pure petrol and ethanol blends.
Why it matters
This highlights a growing political conflict between state-level governance and federal energy policies, as well as public concern over the technical impact of biofuel mandates.
NEW DELHI: The Punjab Assembly on Tuesday passed a resolution opposing the Centre's E20 ethanol-blended fuel policy, expressing concern that the use of E20 fuel could damage vehicles that are not compatible with the higher ethanol blend.Punjab finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema moved the resolution on the second day of the monsoon session of the Assembly, questioning why the Centre advanced the rollout of the E20 fuel policy to 2026 instead of its earlier target of 2030.He also alleged that the BJP-led Union government had implemented the policy under pressure from the United States, the world's largest ethanol producer.Participating in the debate, chief minister Bhagwant Mann claimed that E20 fuel had been "imposed" on the people without recommendations from experts."There has been no expert study on the use of E20," Mann said, alleging that vehicles were getting damaged because of the blended fuel.Questioning the Centre's decision to accelerate the policy,…
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