Lack of clarity in ethanol mission

ANY government programme that helps reduce emissions and lowers the fuel import bill is worth implementing with full gusto. What’s critical is gaining consumer confidence and a gradual switchover — focusing on transparency about the mission, and having enough space to cater to concerns. So, when Nitin Gadkari asserts that the criticism against the E20 fuel programme is a “paid politically-motivated social media campaign”, it does not help the cause from the consumer's point of view. According to the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, all sorts of tests have confirmed that there are no issues with the rollout of 20 per cent ethanol-blended (E20) petrol. All recent fears over engine damage and warranty issues, he claims, have been proven false. He may be absolutely right, but then, perhaps not. Doubts still linger. The consumer deserves a more informed engagement.

The benefits of the ethanol blending programme for the farming sector have also been highlighted. The intent is not being questioned, the lack of clarity is. For a government adept at sound messaging, the adoption of green fuel should have involved a sustained campaign to educate the consumer, and answer all sorts of queries. That must be the road ahead as plans are afoot to ramp up blending diesel with isobutanol, and not ethanol, since the diesel-ethanol mix has not been successful. Take the consumer on board and value the feedback, it will only make the sustainable development journey more productive. Go in for policy tweaks, if that appears to be a more prudent strategy going forward.

Gadkari, who has championed vehicle scrappage, has again asked automakers to incentivise retiring of old vehicles with bonuses and discounts. An intensive approach involving all the stakeholders is still a work in progress.