New Delhi, 29 July (H.S.): Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday criticised the Central Government over its E20 petrol policy, alleging that it is pressuring automobile manufacturers to declare E20 fuel safe for vehicles. He further claimed that companies are being threatened with action by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and the Income Tax Department if they do not comply.

Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters, Kejriwal said that he had written to 29 automobile manufacturers asking whether vehicles manufactured before 2023 could safely use E20 petrol. He also sought clarification on whether the companies would accept responsibility if the fuel caused vehicle damage or reduced fuel efficiency.

The former Chief Minister claimed that none of the companies provided a written response. However, he alleged that officials from nine automobile manufacturers admitted during telephone conversations that the use of E20 petrol in older vehicles could damage engines and fuel systems and also lead to lower fuel efficiency.

He said that nearly 300 million vehicles manufactured before 2023 are currently on Indian roads and could be adversely affected by the government's policy. Kejriwal further alleged that ethanol is more expensive than petrol and that vehicles running on E20 fuel deliver lower mileage.

Kejriwal also alleged that the Central Government is attempting to prevent the national town hall programme scheduled for Saturday against E20 fuel by exerting pressure through the police and the administration. He claimed that efforts were made to cancel the venue booking and compel organisers to obtain additional permissions. However, he asserted that the town hall meeting would be held as scheduled.

The former Chief Minister also supported the demand for the withdrawal of FIRs registered against students in connection with paper leak cases. He alleged that the Central Government had failed to fulfil its promises on the issue.

Questioning the Delhi Government's Lakshmi Scheme, Kejriwal said the conditions attached to the financial assistance programme for women were so stringent that hardly any woman would be able to qualify for its benefits. He also questioned whether the scheme's benefits would be restricted to only 1.7 million women when the number of women in Delhi is significantly higher.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar