Congress MP Hibi Eden has given an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha regarding E-20 petrol. He said that this will cause damage to old vehicles, reduce mileage and increase the financial burden on people. He also alleged lack of information at petrol pumps.
New Delhi [भारत]July 28 (ANI): Congress MP Hibi Eden on Tuesday gave notice of an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha, seeking a discussion on the nationwide rollout of E-20 petrol. They raised concerns about its implementation and its potential impact on consumers and existing vehicles.
In his notice, Eden described the issue as “a matter of urgent importance” that requires parliamentary discussion. The Congress MP said a large portion of existing vehicles, including two-wheelers, passenger cars and commercial vehicles, were originally built for low ethanol blends. They allege that high amounts of ethanol can rapidly deteriorate rubber seals, plastic parts, fuel lines and some metal parts in vehicles that are not compatible with E-20 fuel.
Concern about financial burden on consumers and reduction in mileage
Eden also cited reports of reduced fuel efficiency from higher ethanol blends, alleging that consumers may have to buy more fuel to travel the same distance. The MP also raised concerns over the financial impacts of this rollout, claiming that owners of older vehicles may be forced to replace their vehicles earlier than expected or may incur additional maintenance and repair costs if their vehicles are not fully compatible with E-20 gasoline.
They also alleged that the rollout places a disproportionate financial burden on middle-class families, small businesses and commercial transport operators, especially in the absence of widespread public awareness about vehicle compatibility and warranty implications.
Accusation of lack of information and choice
In the notice, Eden further argued that consumers lack adequate information and choice when purchasing fuel. He alleged that in many places, consumers do not have the option to buy petrol with lower ethanol content and where multiple options are available, the ethanol blend is not clearly indicated. The Congress MP also alleged that the absence of clear labeling on fuel dispensers prevents consumers from knowing whether they are filling E10, E12, E15 or E20 petrol, thereby impacting their right to know the composition of the product being purchased.
Seeking discussion on the issue, Eden said the implementation of the E-20 patrol should be accompanied by strong security measures, which he alleged are absent in the current framework. An adjournment motion is moved in Parliament to draw the attention of the House to a matter of urgent public importance which requires immediate discussion. If accepted by the Speaker, it overrides the pre-determined business of the day. Earlier, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal announced a ‘National Town Hall’ to garner public support and expressed his intention to hand over two lakh petitions to Prime Minister Narendra Modi next week. (ANI)
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