‘E20 ethanol-blended petrol row paid political campaign’: Nitin Gadkari

NEW DELHI: Road transport minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday dismissed criticism against E20 (ethanol-blended petrol), saying a “paid” social media campaign is being run to “target me politically.”“The way your industry works, so does politics,” he said in response to a question at annual convention of automobile industry body SIAM. “Social media campaign was paid; it was to target me politically. There is no fact in it; everything is clear,” he said.Gadkari claimed that Supreme Court dismissing a PIL has made everything clear, and added that ethanol blending in petrol is crucial to reduce dependence on imports.SIAM and premier vehicle research organisation ARAI have shared their findings on ethanol blending in petrol, he said, adding India’s ethanol programme has helped farmers. He added because of ethanol made from maize, they are now getting a better price, and farmers have gained Rs 45,000 crore as a result.Later, while addressing two more events, one of BOCI, country’s apex bus operators’ entity, and the other of sugar industry body ISMA, Gadkari said use of ethanol and other alternative fuels will not only save country’s foreign exchequer but also reduce air pollution. He said govt is looking at giving some incentive for production and use of construction equipment that use alternative fuel like ethanol.