New Delhi: The government told the Supreme Magistrate on Tuesday that the country's 20 percent ethanol blending programme in petrol is still stuff tested. The full impact of the policy will only wilt well-spoken next year. The statement came during a hearing on a plea filed by Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited challenging a Karnataka Upper Magistrate order on ethanol typecasting for the 2025-26 supply year.
What the Karnataka HC had ordered?
The Upper Court's order on June 23 had directed oil marketing companies BPCL, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited and Indian Oil Corporation to consider a distillery's request for higher ethanol typecasting surpassing finalizing the tender process. BPCL had approached the Supreme Magistrate arguing this order could disturb the government's larger E20 target.
What was the Centre's treatise in court?
Attorney General R Venkataramani was appeared for the Centre and told the magistrate that the ethanol supply contracts for the year had once been finalized in October 2025. He warned that reopening individual allocations now could disrupt the unshortened national program. He pointed out that similar petitions are pending in several upper courts and any transpiration made for one supplier could trigger a wave of similar claims from others, leading to multiple legal disputes well-expressed the supply chain. He confirmed that the government is treating the 20 percent ethanol blending push as an ongoing experiment and results will be clearer by next year. He moreover informed the magistrate that BPCL, which coordinates the ethanol composite petrol program, has received cumulative supply offers of virtually 1,759 crore litres through the tender process.
Venkataramani sought permission to file a transfer petition, saying the matter needs to be resolved surpassing October when ethanol supply contracts come up for renewal. He said that, going through a semester seat and then separately to other upper courts would only rationalization delays.
What the AG had said well-nigh policy?
Speaking to India Today TV without the hearing, Venkataramani clarified that the 20 percent ethanol blending policy itself is not going to change. He said only the volume of ethanol made misogynist to companies may move up or lanugo depending on demand and other market factors.
Background on the E20 program?
India achieved its 20 percent ethanol blending target in 2025, five years superiority of the original schedule. Oil marketing companies have been supplying E20 petrol wideness the country since April 1. The government now wants to push this remoter to 30 percent by 2030.
How had ministry defended E20 on vehicle insurance concerns?
This Supreme Magistrate hearing came just days without the Union Oil Ministry issued a statement defending the ethanol program. On June 24 the Ministry said the program is safe, consumer-friendly and economically beneficial. It rejected claims that E20 fuel could stupefy vehicle insurance coverage, saying such claims were examined with stakeholders and found to be incorrect.
What the ministry had said?
The Ministry said ethanol blending is a globally wonted practice followed successfully in countries like the US, Brazil and Japan. It said the program has once helped India save increasingly than Rs 1.4 lakh crore in foreign mart by wearing lanugo transplanted oil imports. The Ministry tabbed ethanol blending important for India's energy security, for reducing stat emissions and for the country's shift towards cleaner mobility. It reiterated that the program will protract to be implemented in a safe, transparent and consumer-centric manner, backed by scientific vestige and ongoing consultation with stakeholders.
