Auto manufacturers unwilling to put it in writing because of fear of Modi Govt: Arvind Kejriwal
Punjab E NEWS (PEN NEWS): Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday revealed that the Modi Government is coercing automobile manufacturers into remaining silent on the impact of E20 petrol on vehicles manufactured before 2023. Citing discussions with officials from nine automobile companies, he revealed they had acknowledged that E20 could damage nearly 30 crore older vehicles and reduce fuel efficiency, but were unwilling to state this publicly due to pressure from the Centre.
Questioning the government’s ethanol policy, the AAP Chief asked why E20-Blended petrol was being forced on consumers despite offering lower mileage, costing more than petrol, providing no foreign exchange savings and delivering no benefit to farmers.
Addressing a press conference, AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal said, “The Modi Government has resorted to outright ‘gundagardi’ (goondaism) to force E20 petrol on the public. A few days ago, I wrote to 29 companies that manufacture petrol powered two wheelers and four wheelers in our country. In my letter, I asked them to clearly state whether E20 petrol can be used in vehicles manufactured before 2023.”
He continued, “I also asked that if these companies say it can be used, whether they would compensate consumers if their vehicles are damaged or if fuel efficiency declines. None of the 29 companies responded in writing, but I had detailed phone conversations with officials from nine of them.”
Sharing what company officials told him, Arvind Kejriwal stated, “Officials from these nine companies personally told me that the Modi Government is openly threatening them. The technical and engineering reality is that if E20 is used in vehicles manufactured before 2023, it will damage the vehicle, its engine and the fuel train system, and fuel efficiency will also decline.”
He added, “The Modi Government has warned these companies that if they say this publicly, they will face consequences. Their plants will be shut down, and they will face raids by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), the Income Tax Department and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and their companies could be shut down. That is why they cannot put this in writing.”
“Instead, the Modi Government is pressuring them to certify in writing that E20 is safe. Maruti did so once and had to face the consequences, as the Consumer Court ordered that the vehicle be replaced. The companies say that if they certify E20 as safe, consumers will approach the courts seeking replacement of their vehicles and compensation for damaged components and reduced mileage. That is why they cannot give anything in writing,” he revealed.
Questioning the Centre’s policy, the AAP Chief said, “Why is the Modi Government using goondaism to pressure these companies? It is the public that has to use both the vehicles and the petrol, so why is the Modi Government forcing ethanol on people? There are 30 crore vehicles manufactured before 2023 in our country, including 22 crore two wheelers and 8 crore four wheelers. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is determined to turn these 30 crore vehicles into scrap. What is his interest in doing this?”
He concluded by stating, “Ethanol is more expensive than petrol, it has a lower calorific value which reduces mileage, it does not save foreign exchange, and it does not benefit farmers either. Several detailed articles have already been published on this. Areas where ethanol is produced also suffer groundwater contamination for several kilometres, and it causes pollution. In such a situation, why is PM Narendra Modi so interested in ethanol? That is a question everyone should think about.”
