New Delhi : Congress MP Hibi Eden on Tuesday submitted an Adjournment Motion notice in the Lok Sabha seeking a discussion on the nationwide rollout of E-20 petrol, raising concerns over its implementation and its potential impact on consumers and existing vehicles.
In his notice, Eden described the issue as a "matter of urgent importance" warranting parliamentary discussion. The Congress MP stated that a substantial proportion of the existing vehicle fleet, including two-wheelers, passenger cars and commercial vehicles, was originally engineered for lower ethanol blends. He alleged that higher ethanol content could accelerate the deterioration of rubber seals, plastic components, fuel lines and certain metal parts in vehicles that are not compatible with E-20 fuel.
Eden also referred to reports of reduced fuel efficiency with higher ethanol blends, alleging that consumers may be required to purchase more fuel to travel the same distance. The MP further raised concerns over the financial implications of the rollout, claiming that owners of older vehicles could be compelled to replace their vehicles earlier than anticipated or incur additional maintenance and repair costs if their vehicles are not fully compatible with E-20 petrol.
He also alleged that the rollout places a disproportionate financial burden on middle-class families, small businesses and commercial transport operators, particularly in the absence of widespread public awareness regarding vehicle compatibility and warranty implications.
In the notice, Eden further contended that consumers lack adequate information and choice while purchasing fuel. He alleged that in several places, consumers do not have the option of buying 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 visible labelling on fuel dispensers prevents consumers from knowing whether they are filling E10, E12, E15 or E20 petrol, thereby affecting their right to know the composition of the product being purchased.
Seeking a discussion on the issue, Eden said the implementation of E-20 petrol should be accompanied by robust safeguards, which he alleged are currently absent in the existing framework. An Adjournment Motion is introduced in Parliament to draw the attention of the House to a matter of urgent public importance that requires immediate discussion. If admitted by the Speaker, it supersedes the pre-scheduled business of the day.
Earlier, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal announced a 'National Town Hall' to mobilise public support and declared his intent to hand over more than two lakh petitions to Prime Minister Narendra Modi next week.