Social media campaign on E20 was paid, to target me politically: Nitin Gadkari

New Delhi, Sep 11 (PTI) Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday said the social media rage over blending of 20 per cent ethanol in petrol fuel was a “paid campaign” to target him politically.

There has been clarity on the E20 (20 per cent ethanol blended petrol) with the stakeholders, including the automobile industry, he said while speaking here at the annual convention of Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM).

"This social media campaign was a paid campaign. It was against ethanol and it was to target me politically," he said.

Opposition Congress recently levelled conflict of interest allegations against Gadkari, claiming that he has been "aggressively lobbying" for ethanol production while his two sons are involved in firms that produce ethanol and "benefited" from the government policy.

The party had also challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to announce a probe by Lokpal on the conflict of interest issue.

The impact of E20 fuel on vehicles, including decline in fuel economy and on engine parts, became a debate on social media with many claiming drop in mileage ranging up to 20 per cent.

When asked about the concerns about the implementation of E20 programme, he replied that all stakeholders, including ARAI( Automobile Research Association of India), and SIAM, have shared their findings.

Moreover, the Supreme Court ruling is also very clear on this, the minister noted.

"I will just say that whatever it was, there was no truth in it. Everything has been clarified," said Gadkari.

The minister further said India's fuel import bill is around Rs 22 lakh crore and said E20 is an import substitute, which is cost-effective, pollution-free and indigenous.

"Our Prime Minister's dream is to make India self-sustaining. So, from an economic point of view, if these Rs 22 lakh crore go to Indian economy, who will benefit? Shouldn't it be done," he said.

The government has decided to make ethanol from corn and farmers benefited by Rs 45,000 crore from this. Moreover, this year, states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar have record production.

"Our agricultural growth rate is very low. So, this diversification of agriculture towards energy and power sector is not wrong for the benefit of farmers," he said. PTI KRH RKL MR MR