Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Calling out the BJP led central government, Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Tuesday strongly criticised the mandatory implementation of 20% ethanol blending (E-20 petrol) starting April 2026, which advanced the original target from 2030 while speaking in the House in favour of the resolution moved by him. Highlighting that the USA produces 60% of the world’s ethanol while India produces only 5%, Cheema accused the BJP-led central government of surrendering to the United States and Donald Trump at the cost of Indian consumers and vehicle owners.
Focusing on the massive scale of the issue in the state, Cabinet Minister Harpal Singh Cheema pointed out, “Punjab’s Transport Department currently has 1,25,88,851 registered two-wheelers, four-wheelers, and commercial vehicles, alongside some others purchased from neighboring states are still in process of registration. Forcing E-20 fuel on states with such a massive volume of legacy vehicles is taking a heavy toll.”
Referring to what local mechanics have shared, he revealed, “Repairing a car damaged by ethanol blending costs between ₹25,000 to ₹50,000.” He further criticised the central petroleum ministry for failing to provide alternative options for citizens with older vehicles, warning that delivery boys and small business owners risk losing their livelihoods if their vehicles break down every few months.
Minister Harpal Singh Cheema asserted, “Even Union Minister Nitin Guakri admitted in Parliament to a 6% drop in fuel mileage, though actual efficiency losses are much higher. The unilateral imposition of policies without consulting domestic scientists, manufacturers, parliamentarians, or the general public is condemable. The policy is selling out the country to corporate interests.”
Furthermore, he said, “Ethanol production consumes massive amounts of water, which poses a grave threat to Punjab’s already depleted groundwater table.”
Highlighting widespread public resistance, Minister Harpal Singh Cheema mentioned a recent dialogue hosted in Delhi by AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal, which was attended physically by 4,000 to 5,000 people and reached 7 lakh viewers online. “Mechanics and experts from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi, Punjab, and Rajasthan participated to voice how detrimental the policy is to consumers, proving that this is a critical and urgent national issue requiring immediate review”, he shared.
