The Central government on Tuesday told the Supreme Court that the impact of India’s 20 per cent ethanol blending (E20) programme in petrol would become clearer by next year, as discussions continued over the policy’s long-term effects. The hearing took place amid an ongoing debate over ethanol blending, with the government maintaining that the initiative is aimed at improving energy security, reducing fuel imports, and supporting farmers.
Following reports that the government had described the E20 programme as an “experiment” before the Supreme Court, the Ministry of Law and Justice issued a clarification rejecting the claim. The ministry stated that the government did not characterise the ethanol blending programme as an experiment during the court proceedings and said such reports did not accurately reflect its submissions.
The E20 programme is a key part of India’s clean energy strategy, designed to increase the use of ethanol in petrol to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and lower carbon emissions. While concerns have been raised over its impact on vehicles and consumers, the government has consistently defended the policy, saying its benefits for the economy, farmers, and energy security outweigh the challenges.
