New Delhi, Aug 6: The Congress on Thursday intensified its criticism of the Centre’s nationwide E20 fuel programme, arguing that the policy overlooks critical environmental challenges despite being promoted as a clean energy initiative. The opposition maintained that a comprehensive evaluation of the ethanol blended fuel must consider its impact on natural resources, agriculture, and long-term sustainability.
Addressing the issue, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said the government’s justification for expanding ethanol blending focuses largely on reducing crude oil imports and lowering emissions, while failing to acknowledge the ecological costs associated with producing ethanol in India.
Ramesh noted that unlike several countries where ethanol is largely derived from agricultural residues and waste biomass, India’s production depends heavily on crops such as sugarcane, rice and maize. According to him, these crops require significant quantities of water, placing additional pressure on already stressed water resources.
He highlighted that sugarcane and paddy together account for a substantial share of India’s irrigation demand, adding that the amount of water needed to produce ethanol from these crops raises serious sustainability concerns. He also cited estimates indicating that maize-based ethanol production requires considerable water consumption.
The Congress leader warned that continued reliance on such feedstocks could worsen groundwater depletion in many regions where water availability is already under strain. He argued that environmental policies should evaluate the complete ecological footprint of fuel production rather than focusing solely on emissions from vehicle use.
Referring to the NITI Aayog’s ethanol roadmap released in 2021, Ramesh said the document had recommended a gradual shift towards more sustainable raw materials for ethanol production. However, he alleged that the government continues to encourage the use of food grains by providing rice to ethanol distilleries at prices significantly below procurement costs.
Calling for greater transparency, Ramesh maintained that any clean fuel strategy should balance energy security with responsible management of water resources and agricultural priorities. He asserted that environmental claims surrounding the E20 programme require closer scrutiny in light of these concerns.
The remarks come a day after the Congress accused the Centre of implementing the E20 rollout without adequately addressing its impact on consumers. The party had alleged that the policy has increased fuel-related expenses for many vehicle owners while raising questions about compatibility with existing automobiles.
The government has maintained that higher ethanol blending supports India’s energy transition, reduces dependence on imported crude oil and contributes to lower carbon emissions. However, the opposition has continued to demand detailed scientific evidence and greater public disclosure regarding the long-term environmental and economic implications of the programme.