NEW DELHI: Inspired by Cockroach Janta Party’s successful campaign that led to Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation as education minister over NEET paper leak, a new outfit — E20 Janta Party — has stepped into the ring, demanding that consumers be given the option of buying 100% petrol and seeking the resignation of road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari over the issue.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 within a few hours on Sunday, said it was not seeking subsidies, free fuel or withdrawal of ethanol-blended petrol, but only demanding that consumers be given a choice to buy the fuel they want.
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“Every Indian should have the freedom to choose and purchase 100% petrol alongside blended fuel options,” group said. It also demanded transparent fuel labelling so that consumers know what they are buying, publication of data on the costs, benefits and impact of different 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), making it significantly expensive for most consumers. Govt recently said E20 is now the standard fuel, and there are no plans to reduce the ethanol-blending percentage.
