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CHANDIGARH; 4th August 2026:
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Tuesday raised the issue of E-20 ethanol-blended petrol in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, pointing out that the Centre has forced its rollout despite admitting in Parliament that it reduces vehicle mileage. He said the move is causing financial hardship for vehicle owners, questioned why the implementation has been accelerated, and alleged that it is aimed at serving the interests of a trade deal with the United States under which India will import $20 billion worth of ethanol over the next five years. Asserting that consumers should not be deprived of choice, the Punjab Vidhan Sabha passed a resolution urging the Centre to offer both pure petrol and E-20 at fuel stations and to reduce the price of E-20 to safeguard the interests of the common people.
Taking to X, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated: “During the Punjab Vidhan Sabha session, I raised the serious issue of E20 ethanol-blended petrol being forced on consumers and the damage it is causing to people’s vehicles. This fuel has been imposed by the Central Government without any scientific study. According to a survey, it has reduced the mileage of 67 per cent of vehicles, while 45 per cent have suffered engine damage, placing a direct financial burden on ordinary people.
“The Central Government itself has admitted in Parliament that E20 petrol reduces vehicle mileage. All of this is being done to serve the interests of a major trade deal with the United States and to benefit corporate companies. We demand that consumers be given the choice between pure petrol and E20 at fuel stations, and that the price of E20 be reduced immediately. The Punjab Vidhan Sabha has passed a resolution on this issue and is sending it to the Central Government to protect the interests of the common people. Inquilab Zindabad,” the post concluded.
Winding up the debate on the issue in Vidhan Sabha, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “This is a matter of grave concern for every citizen of the country. E-20 ethanol-blended petrol has been forced upon vehicle owners without any proper research, scientific study or consultation. The Union Government has neither conducted any study nor obtained certification from any engineering college or IIT to establish that E-20 petrol is safe for vehicle engines.”
Slamming the Centre, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Engines designed to run on E-10 petrol were arbitrarily shifted to E-20 despite widespread opposition. According to a survey covering more than 45,000 vehicles, 67 per cent reported a significant drop in mileage while 45 per cent suffered engine damage. This is nothing but an open loot of the hard-earned money of common people, who purchase vehicles after years of savings and through EMIs.”
Referring to the burden on vehicle owners, the Chief Minister pointed out, “The common people buy a vehicle with great difficulty and then bear the additional burden of repairs because of this policy. It is unfortunate that the Union Government is misleading people in the name of E-20. AAP National Convener Arvind Kejriwal has also raised this issue and collected more than two lakh signatures through a public petition, which he is carrying to the Prime Minister.”
Referring to the Centre’s own admission, he said, “Initially, the Union Government claimed that only automobile manufacturers could determine mileage. But every driver knows the mileage of his or her own vehicle, and modern vehicles display mileage on the dashboard. The Centre has now admitted in Parliament that E-20 petrol can reduce mileage by up to six per cent and that it affects vehicle engines.”
Questioning the motive behind the policy, the Chief Minister noted, “This is not merely about ethanol. It is linked to the trade deal with the United States. Under this agreement, India will increase ethanol imports fivefold, from nearly one billion litres to five billion litres, amounting to nearly $20 billion over the next five years. The United States is the world’s largest producer of ethanol, and India is being made to bear this burden.”
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “What compulsion makes Prime Minister Narendra Modi bow before Donald Trump and accept everything he says? American farmers are disposing of their surplus produce, while Indian consumers are being forced to pay the price.”
Calling out the Union Government’s foreign policy, theChief Minister stated, “The Centre’s decisions are being driven by the interests of big corporate houses. The situation has reached a stage where the United States dictates even where India should purchase crude oil from. Even during Operation Sindoor, America announced developments relating to India and Pakistan before India itself, raising serious questions over our foreign policy.”
Questioning the implementation timeline, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The Centre originally planned to implement E-20 by 2030. What was the hurry to enforce it in 2026? They have started with E-20 and are waiting for the controversy to subside before introducing E-25 and E-50.”
Highlighting the Vidhan Sabha’s stand, he affirme, “The Punjab Vidhan Sabha has discussed this serious national issue in detail. BJP members chose not to participate, but we are leading this fight to protect the interests of the people. Consumers must be given the choice between pure petrol and E-20. Earlier, people had the option of choosing between leaded and unleaded petrol. This decision has been imposed without giving people any choice.”
Drawing a comparison with toll plazas, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Across the world, people have the option of choosing toll roads or non-toll roads. When citizens already pay road tax, why should they pay toll tax separately? The Punjab Government has closed 19 toll plazas, saving commuters nearly ₹67 lakh every day.”
Reiterating the demand, CM Bhagwant Singh Mannconcluded, “People must immediately be given the choice between pure petrol and E-20 at fuel stations, and the price of E-20 should be reduced. I have written to the Prime Minister, the Union Home Minister, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and other concerned authorities, urging them to protect the interests of the common people.”
