Kolkata, 04 July (H.S.) : A press conference was held at the Press Club, Kolkata, on Saturday to dispel misconceptions surrounding ethanol-blended petrol (E20) and highlight its benefits for the environment, farmers, vehicle owners and India's energy security.

The briefing was addressed by Samir Rohatgi, General Manager, Customer Service (Eastern Region), Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India; Kushal Bajoria, Secretary, Indian Oil Dealers' Forum, West Bengal; and Dilip Loyalka, Chartered Accountant and entrepreneur. Director General, Press Information Bureau, Kolkata, Jane Namchu, introduced the speakers before the media interaction.

Speaking at the event, Samir Rohatgi said there were several misconceptions regarding E20 fuel, even though modern vehicles are being designed to support ethanol-blended petrol. He emphasized that the use of E20 does not damage vehicle engines and instead contributes to reducing emissions and promoting cleaner mobility. He urged vehicle owners to rely on manufacturers' recommendations rather than misinformation.

Kushal Bajoria described the Government of India's ethanol blending programme as a significant step towards achieving energy self-reliance. He said increased ethanol blending would reduce the country's dependence on crude oil imports, save valuable foreign exchange and provide better returns to farmers by creating greater demand for crops such as sugarcane. He also assured consumers that E20 petrol available at fuel stations meets all prescribed quality standards and can be used with confidence.

Dilip Loyalka said ethanol blending is not only an environmental initiative but also an important economic reform. According to him, the programme will help lower carbon emissions, promote sustainable development and strengthen India's transition towards cleaner energy. He appealed to the public to rely on scientific facts and avoid misinformation regarding ethanol-blended fuel.

The speakers unanimously stated that the Government of India's ethanol blending initiative is a forward-looking policy that supports environmental conservation, energy security, farmers' prosperity and sustainable development, while stressing the need to create greater public awareness about its benefits.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh