Get the latest news and updates from Dawn
NEW DELHI: The Indian government sought to contain a growing backlash on Friday against its mandatory use of 20 per cent ethanol-blended petrol, as consumers unhappy about lower fuel efficiency and vehicle performance planned a protest against the policy.
The mandate to use the blend, called E20, came into force last year, but is now one of the biggest political flashpoints for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government and motorists in the world’s third-biggest car market.
The controversy intensified this week after Attorney General R. Venkataramani told a court hearing that E20 was an “experiment” whose results would only come out next year.
The government denied the remark was ever made, but video of the court hearing showing Venkataramani saying the words has since gone viral on social media.
