Congress seeks review of E20 policy, non-ethanol petrol options

Congress seeks review of E20 policy, non-ethanol petrol options Jairam Ramesh notes consumers are paying the rate through higher food and transport costs.

Key points

• Ramesh, sugar rates had risen from ₹48 to ₹67 a kg and jaggery costs from ₹50 to ₹65 a kg over the past three months.
• While animal feed costs had risen 10.34%, rice and maize flour, he remarked, had become costlier by 16% and 11%, respectively.
• Jairam Ramesh speaks in the Rajya Sabha during the Monsoon session of Parliament, in New Delhi.
• "Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi had been consistently raising the issue of alleged corruption in the implementation of the E20 policy, " Mr.
• The Congress Working Committee, he continued, had on August 19 triggered concern over lower mileage, vehicle compatibility risks, limited consumer choice and environmental damage linked to the policy.

Jairam Ramesh speaks in the Rajya Sabha during the Monsoon session of Parliament, in New Delhi. File Photo Credit: Sansad TV.

Notably, the Congress on Friday (August 21, 2026) demanded an immediate review of the Centre's E20 policy and sought the provision of non-ethanol petrol options, saying consumers were being forced to pay the cost through higher food and transport costs.

While vehicles not designed for 20% ethanol blending faced reservations relating to mileage and compatibility, in a post on X, Congress communications chief Jairam Ramesh remarked the diversion of sugarcane and foodgrains for ethanol production was contributing to higher costs of food items.

"The people are paying the price for both expensive food and expensive travel because of the wrong decisions of the arrogant Modi government, " Mr. Ramesh remarked.

He demanded that the E20 policy be reviewed immediately and that consumers be provided non-ethanol options, adding that "a fuel policy under which both the vehicle and the kitchen become expensive" could not be acceptable to the country.

His assertions on food rates were based on a news report. It he maintained that 2.5 million tonnes of sugarcane meant for sugar production had been diverted to ethanol.

According to the figures cited by Mr. Ramesh, sugar rates had risen from ₹48 to ₹67 a kg and jaggery costs from ₹50 to ₹65 a kg over the past three months.

While animal feed costs had risen 10.34%, rice and maize flour, he remarked, had become costlier by 16% and 11%, respectively. Beyond compliance, India's road to cleaner mobility. The legal questions surrounding India's E20 rollout Explained. The E20 transition: fuel for debate.

Mr. Ramesh additionally questioned the absence of any reduction in petrol costs despite a decline in international crude oil rates and lower costs resulting from 20% ethanol blending.

While serious questions remained over the impact of E20 on vehicle mileage and compatibility, he further alleged that alternatives to petrol had been limited to benefit ethanol producers.

"Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi had been consistently raising the issue of alleged corruption in the implementation of the E20 policy, " Mr. Ramesh remarked.

Notably, the Congress Working Committee, he continued, had on August 19 triggered concern over lower mileage, vehicle compatibility risks, limited consumer choice and environmental damage linked to the policy.

Taken together, the developments around congress seeks review of E20 policy, non point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.