Congress says Ethanol producers are the only class to have benefited from E20.
Congress says Ethanol producers are the only class to have benefited from E20. File picture | Ethanol producers are the only class to have benefitted from E20, the Opposition party said.In a post on X, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said regular petrol pumps have effectively supplied only E20 petrol since March 2025.Editorial | Insular incentive: On ethanol-blended fuel and the Indian consumer"The Modi Government's Transport Minister (Nitin Gadkari) had claimed that ethanol blending would bring diesel costs down to Rs. 50 per litre and provide a petrol alternative at Rs. 55 per litre. No such reduction has materialised," Mr. Ramesh said.Since March 2025, regular petrol pumps have effectively supplied only E20 petrol.The Modi Government's Transport Minister had claimed that ethanol blending would bring diesel costs down to Rs. 50 per litre and provide a petrol alternative at Rs. 55 per litre. No such reduction…— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) August 5, 2026Instead, an independent analysis estimates that between April 2023 and March 2026, consumers collectively spent nearly ₹88,234 crore extra just to offset the reduced mileage of ethanol-blended fuel, he claimed.Mr. Ramesh said citizens are effectively now paying more for E20 than they previously paid for regular petrol.The Modi government could have reduced the retail price of E20 to offset this loss in mileage, he argued.The NITI Aayog's ethanol roadmap recommended fiscal and tax incentives on E10 and E20 fuels to compensate consumers, he pointed out.Instead, the Modi government has approved more than ₹4,000 crore in subsidies for ethanol producers, further tilting the benefits of the E20 programme towards industry rather than consumers, Mr. Ramesh said."E20 has deprived ordinary middle class Indians of choice, saddled them with an inflated fuel bill, and damaged the vehicle that they saved for years to purchase," the Congress leader alleged.On Monday, the Congress said people are demanding accountability and transparency over the nationwide rollout of E20 petrol but the Modi government's ministers are unable to convince anyone of its harmlessness because no real data or reports exist.It said Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari's reply in Parliament on July 29 on the matter raised more questions than it answers. Published - August 05, 2026 02:09 pm IST
Telangana BJP president N. Ramchander Rao addressing party supporters at Baltimore in the US on Sunday. Telangana BJP president N. Ramchander Rao said on Sunday that people in the State are increasingly viewing the BJP as the only ‘credible alternative’, as they have become ‘disillusioned’ with both the BRS and Congress parties.Addressing party supporters in Baltimore (US), Mr. Rao said the BJP is steadily emerging as a strong political force in Telangana. He pointed to the party’s success in winning eight Lok Sabha seats from the State and securing significant victories in recent MLC elections. Several surveys too indicated growing public support for the BJP.Mr. Rao is currently in the United States as a special guest at the 19th American Telugu Association (ATA) Conference and Youth Convention. Alleging that the BRS and Congress are “two sides of the same coin”, he claimed the two parties joined hands to defeat the BJP candidate in the MLC elections. The BRS continues to support the Congress on several national issues, he alleged.Highlighting the Centre’s development agenda, Mr. Rao said the NDA government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi is committed to building a developed India and a developed Telangana through large-scale infrastructure projects aimed at generating employment opportunities. Mr. Modi’s strategic planning and leadership helped India navigate the West Asia conflict without facing an oil supply crisis, unlike some countries that were forced to ration fuel.The Centre’s focus extends beyond creating jobs to fostering entrepreneurship through initiatives such as Startup India, Stand-Up India and the MUDRA Yojana. As a result, India has emerged as the world’s second-largest startup ecosystem, he claimed.Citing Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace as an example of entrepreneurial success, he noted that the company recently launched a rocket into space. He also said the number of airports in the country has doubled from 75, with Telangana set to receive new airports at Warangal and Adilabad.The Centre has established AIIMS and the Central Tribal University, approved the Zaheerabad Industrial Smart City, strengthened rail manufacturing infrastructure in Kazipet and supported the PM MITRA Textile Park in Warangal. He also highlighted increased railway allocations, station redevelopment projects, national highway expansion, free foodgrain distribution and annual assistance of ₹6,000 to eligible farmers under Central schemes. Published - August 02, 2026 06:46 pm IST
Congress leader Pawan Khera. File | Mr. Modi on Friday (July 31, 2026) said he and even his late mother were subjected to abusive language at Jantar Mantar during the protests over NEET irregularities, but asserted that dragging such "misguided children" into court would not resolve the problem and hence, he wanted to forgive them.Tagging the PM's video and post, Congress' media and publicity department head Pawan Khera said in a post on X in Hindi, "Listen to this. The country is asking him to apologise, yet he has forgiven the country." In another late-night video message released on Instagram, the Prime Minister said he could understand the anguish prevailing in society, but stressed that this was the time to embrace the youth and guide them on the right path.लो कर लो बात। देश इनसे माफ़ी मांगने को कह रहा है, इन्होंने देश को माफ़ कर दिया। https://t.co/p9JIdnokmp— Pawan Khera 🇮🇳 ಪವನ್ ಖೇರಾ (@Pawankhera) July 31, 2026"Not only was I subjected to abusive language at Jantar Mantar, but even my late mother was abused there. But abuses never solve anything; let's guide the misguided," he said.Mr. Modi described the students as "misguided children" and said punishing them or making them go through court proceedings will not solve the problem."I want to forgive them. People make mistakes, but this is a cultural shock that our daughters are using such abusive language. We must forgive our youth who were misguided; after all, they are our children. It's our duty to show them the right path," he said. Published - August 01, 2026 01:21 am IST
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