GOA | AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal appealed to Goans to join the townhall against forced E20 petrol by sending a WhatsApp message to 76698 03441 and raising their complaints and concerns. He stated that thousands of Goans reached out to AAP with issues they are facing in their vehicle due to e20 such as reduced mileage, engine damage, pickup problems, and fuel tank damage. Kejriwal urged Goans to voice their concerns and join the townhall on 25 August in Panjim.
Arvind Kejriwal said that during his previous visit to Goa, he had highlighted the problems being faced by Goans due to E20 petrol, particularly regarding mileage and fuel tank-related issues. He had appealed to people to share their comments and grievances with AAP, following which thousands of WhatsApp messages and comments were received from Goans raising concerns about E20 petrol. He cited complaints from Goans who said that their vehicles previously delivered mileage of around 45 km per litre but were now giving only around 35 km per litre. He also referred to complaints regarding vehicles experiencing problems after the rollout of E20.
He said that many Goans feel that spending more on pure petrol would be preferable to facing expensive vehicle repairs caused by fuel-related problems. He stated that petrol prices have already reached high levels, while consumers are now being provided with petrol blended with ethanol.
Kejriwal also raised concerns over the diversion of 25 lakh tonnes of sugarcane towards ethanol production, stating that the price of sugar has increased sharply, from around ₹45 per kg to ₹70 per kg within a month. He stated that the government is Anpadh (illiterate) as no proper calculations were made before diverting such a large quantity of sugarcane towards ethanol production which has led to sugar price hike, depletion of foreign exchange reserves and people getting bad quality fuel that damages the vehicles
He stated that while the Government had claimed that ethanol blending would help save foreign exchange through reduced crude oil imports, the increasing requirement for import of sugar and other commodities could offset these claimed savings.
Kejriwal stated that the Government will move ahead with higher ethanol blends such as E30, E40 and E85 without even adequate scientific studies, testing and preparation.
He further said that stakeholders in the automobile industry are being arm-twisted into speaking in favour of E20 petrol, stating that The Government is not listening to the concerns of ordinary people and is instead pressuring stakeholders to support its policy.
He questioned why the Government was in a hurry to implement higher ethanol blends without first addressing the concerns of vehicle owners and ensuring that adequate scientific testing had been conducted.
Kejriwal appealed to people who are planning to purchase vehicles to seek clarity on the Government’s fuel policy before making their decision.
He urged Goans to attend the townhall on 25 August at 3 PM at Vivanta, Panjim, and participate in the discussion on E20 petrol by sending Message on WhatsApp at 76698 03441 and requested Goans to share their complaints and concerns, and join hands to make the Modi Government listen to the demands of the people.
AAP appealed to Goans facing problems related to E20 petrol to send their complaints and experiences through WhatsApp at 76698 03441 and participate in the townhall to collectively raise their concerns against the forced rollout of E20 petrol.
