- Congress criticizes E20 policy for rising food prices.
- Vehicle owners face lower mileage, potential compatibility issues.
- Party demands review, option for petrol without ethanol.
The Congress has stepped up its criticism of the Centre's E20 petrol policy, raising concerns over rising food prices, vehicle mileage and possible compatibility issues. The party has demanded an immediate review of the policy and called for an option of petrol without ethanol to remain available to consumers.
Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh said the E20 policy, which involves blending up to 20 per cent ethanol with petrol, is making both travel and household expenses more expensive.
Citing reports on rising sugar prices, Ramesh alleged that the diversion of sugarcane and foodgrains towards ethanol production is putting pressure on the supply of essential commodities. He also claimed that vehicle owners are facing lower mileage and concerns over vehicle damage, particularly in vehicles not designed for E20 fuel.
मोदी सरकार की अदूरदर्शी और जनविरोधी E20 नीति के कारण एक तरफ महंगाई बढ़ती जा रही है और दूसरी तरफ वाहन मालिक कम माईलेज और खराब होते वाहनों के रूप में मार झेलने पर मजबूर हैं। इसका खामियाज़ा जनता सड़क पर और रसोई में, दोनों तरफ से भुगत रही है।
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) August 21, 2026
स्वाभाविक था कि गन्ने और अनाज को एथेनॉल… pic.twitter.com/mbaiIYMTgL
“Due to the Modi government's shortsighted and anti-people E20 policy, inflation is rising on one hand, while on the other, vehicle owners are forced to bear the brunt in the form of lower mileage and deteriorating vehicles. The public is paying the price for this both on the roads and in the kitchen, from both sides. It was only natural that when sugarcane and grains are turned into ethanol and blended at 20 per cent in petrol, there would be a shortage of products derived from sugarcane and grains on one hand, while vehicles not designed for 20 per cent ethanol would face the risk of damage,” the Congress leader said.
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“Without proper testing, mileage in vehicles would decrease. It is now clear that 25 lakh tons of sugar-equivalent sugarcane has gone into ethanol, as a result of which, in just the last three months, sugar prices have risen from Rs 48 to Rs 67 per kg and jaggery from Rs 50 to Rs 65 per kg. Rice and corn flour have also become 16 per cent and 11 per cent more expensive, respectively. Animal feed has increased by 10.34 per cent,” he added.
The Congress has argued that using sugarcane and grains for ethanol could reduce the availability of these commodities for food production, potentially putting further pressure on prices.
Concerns Over Vehicle Mileage And Damage
The party has also raised concerns about the impact of E20 petrol on vehicles. Ramesh alleged that vehicles not designed for a 20 per cent ethanol blend could face lower mileage and compatibility-related problems.
The Congress Working Committee had earlier flagged concerns over reduced mileage, vehicle compatibility, limited consumer choice and the environmental costs associated with diverting sugarcane and maize towards ethanol production.
Congress Questions Petrol Prices
Ramesh also questioned why petrol prices have not fallen despite lower international crude oil prices and the cost benefits associated with ethanol blending.
The Congress has demanded a review of the E20 policy and has called for consumers to have the option of buying petrol without ethanol. The party says consumers should not be forced to bear higher food and travel costs because of the policy.