Ethanol-petrol blending: Gadkari questions delay in implementation

Mumbai, Feb 20 (UNI) Maharashtra BJP president Nitin Gadkari today alleged that the Centre, bowing to the pressures from oil companies, was delaying the implementation of the proposal to blend ethanol with petrol.

Mr Gadkari, while speaking to reporters here today, alleged that the delay in implementing the proposal smacks of corruption which could be to the tune of Rs 23,000 crore. He pointed out that the country imports oil to the tune of Rs 223,000 crore.

He said the proposal if implemented, would be a boon for the sugarcane farmers and would help reduce the cost of petrol.

Mr Gadkari said the erstwhile NDA government had taken the decision to blend 15 per cent ethanol with petrol, but the UPA regime revoked the same. But, the UPA government again okayed the implementation of blending from November 2007. The decision, however, has not been implemented despite repeated pressures from the state government.

Mr Gadkari said he, along with BJP general secretary Gopinath Munde and Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray, will lead a delegation which will call on the Prime Minister on this issue.

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