THE SUPREME COURT ON MONDAY dismissed a petition challenging the nationwide rollout of 20 per cent Ethanol Blended Petrol (‘E20’) and demanding the option to use ethanol-free petrol and its availability at fuel stations.
A bench of Chief Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran refused to entertain the plea filed by advocate Akshay Malhotra as the Attorney General for India R. Venkataramani, opposing the plea, stated that the decision to switch over to Ethanol Blended Petrol had been taken after due consideration.
“The petitioner is only a name-lender. There is a huge lobby behind this,” the Attorney General remarked, asserting that the policy was aimed at benefitting India’s sugarcane farmers and saving foreign exchange. “Will people outside the country dictate what kind of fuel India should use?” he asked.
Senior advocate Shadan Farasat, appearing for the petitioner, argued that E20 has become the default option without prior notice to the public, leaving motorists with no choice. He cited a 2021 NITI Aayog report which, he said, highlighted concerns over the impact of ethanol blended patrol on older vehicles not designed for such fuel.
