The government’s ambitious plan to mix 20 percent ethanol in petrol in the country is once again in the news. During the hearing of the case related to ethanol tender in the Supreme Court on Tuesday, the Central Government made it clear that the decision of blending 20 percent ethanol in petrol remains intact. However, the hearing on the ongoing dispute regarding the supply and allocation of ethanol will continue in the court. The government says that this is a big experiment, the results of which may be known by next year.
This case pertains to the ethanol tender dispute involving Bharat Petroleum and the Central Government. The Karnataka High Court had ordered reopening of the ethanol allocation process for 2025-26. Bharat Petroleum says that this may affect the government’s 20 percent ethanol blending plan. This matter was heard in the Supreme Court.
What did the government say?
During the hearing, Attorney General R. Venkataramani told the court that the government is continuously working on the plan to mix 20 percent ethanol in petrol. Describing it as a big national experiment, he said that its actual results are expected to emerge by next year. He also said that many cases related to this issue are pending in different High Courts of the country. If different decisions are taken everywhere, national policy may be affected. Therefore, the Central Government wants to file a transfer petition to hear all the cases together.
What did the Supreme Court say?
After hearing the arguments of the Central Government, the Supreme Court issued notice in the case and directed to maintain the current status till the next hearing. The court also asked why the government did not first approach the division bench of the High Court. At the same time, senior advocate Siddharth Dave, appearing for the petitioner, said that filing the transfer petition is only an attempt to delay the case.
Will the petrol formula change?
After the hearing, the Attorney General clarified that his statement was related only to the supply and allocation of ethanol. He said that there has been no change in the government’s policy of mixing 20 percent ethanol in petrol. However, the quantity of ethanol that oil companies will get will be decided based on demand, availability and other circumstances.
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