‘Will pure petrol come from your father's house?’: BJP MP on ethanol blending

BHOPAL: BJP MP from Rewa, Janardan Mishra, has defended the Centre’s ethanol-blending policy amid the ongoing controversy over the use of ethanol in petrol. Speaking at an event to inaugurate new flight services connecting Rewa with Bhopal and Kolkata on Sunday, Mishra questioned those opposing the policy and asked, “Will pure petrol come from your father's house?” Mishra said India produces only about 20% of the crude oil it consumes, while the remaining 80% is imported. He also referred to the global geopolitical situation and claimed that ships transporting oil to India have to travel an additional distance of approximately 18,000 km. “In such a situation, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi talks about blending 20 per cent ethanol in petrol, some people start protesting.” He was referring to protests and criticism over the government's target of blending ethanol with petrol. “A movement is underway claiming that ethanol won't work, pure petrol will. Will pure petrol come from your father's house? If there's no pure petrol in the country, where will it come from?" he said. Mishra argued that vehicles in India can operate with ethanol-blended fuel and questioned the opposition to its use. “If ethanol is not produced, where will petrol come from, where will diesel come from?” Mishra cites Brazil's ethanol use Defending the policy, Mishra cited Brazil as an example, claiming that vehicles there can run on 100% ethanol without problems. He said Brazil is the world's largest producer of ethanol and that vehicles in the country therefore run on ethanol. Mishra, who has previously made headlines for controversial remarks, also claimed that experts in India believe ethanol does not damage vehicle engines. He said the opposition to ethanol blending was “unnecessary”. Mishra also claimed that India currently has the lowest inflation and highest employment in the world. (With PTI inputs)