Overview

• Nitin Gadkari said he would not stoop for money and insisted his ethanol push is driven by ideas and public interest.
• He framed the initiative as farmer‑focused, citing distress in Vidarbha and pledging continued efforts toward rural prosperity.
• Detailing his son's independent agribusiness, he cited fruit and fish exports, a milk‑powder plant in Australia, and rice mills operated with ITC.
• On September 1, the Supreme Court dismissed a petition seeking mandatory ethanol‑free petrol, noting no evidence of harm from E20 fuel.
• India’s E20 programme, introduced nationwide in April 2023 to cut emissions and crude imports, continues to face consumer and auto‑expert concerns over mileage and compatibility of older vehicles.