By Admin 
Govt on E20 Petrol Controversy: Many types of claims and videos are going viral on social media regarding ethanol petrol i.e. E20. In view of this controversy, the Central Government has now responded. The government has said that the ethanol blending program has been completely scientifically tested and the government is continuously monitoring it.
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has said that some people are deliberately spreading misleading information on social media. Old photos and videos are being shared as new, so that people get unnecessarily scared and the video gets more views.
What is Ethanol Blending Program?
This program started in the year 2003. Its objective is to reduce the import of crude oil, strengthen the energy security of the country and improve the environment. Gradually taking it forward, mixing of 20 percent ethanol i.e. E20 in petrol was started from 2023. The government said that since the introduction of E20 petrol, there have been no major complaints of engine damage or vehicle stalling due to ethanol.
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Government’s response to viral claims
The government has termed the video of mixing sugarcane juice directly into petrol as wrong. According to the ministry, the ethanol mixed in fuel is made through a fixed industrial process. It is made from things like sugarcane juice, molasses, broken rice and maize, but after going through processes like fermentation, its properties become completely different from the raw things.
What did the government say on the viral video of ants?
Clarification has also come on the viral video of ants. Bharat Petroleum said that sugar is completely removed from fuel ethanol and elements are added to it which keep insects away, hence the claim that E20 attracts ants is false.
Water and insurance claims
On the claim that ‘Ethanol absorbs water’, the government said that getting water into any fuel is harmful. Today’s vehicles already have a design that prevents water from getting into the tank. The claim that vehicle insurance will be canceled by using E20 has also been declared false by the concerned companies.
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Being used in foreign countries also
The government said that ethanol blending also happens in countries like America, Brazil and Japan. In Brazil, more ethanol is being mixed for a long time and E27 is the common petrol there.
How much did the country benefit?
According to the ministry, this program has saved the country about Rs 1.4 lakh crore of foreign exchange in the import of crude oil. Besides, the demand for farmers’ crops has increased, which has strengthened their income and the village economy. The government said that ethanol blending is increasing the energy security of the country, reducing carbon emissions and steps are being taken towards clean mobility.