Pawan Khera, a Congress leader, has accused Union Minister Nitin Gadkari of corruption related to the ethanol policy, claiming that Gadkari’s sons are exploiting the policy for financial gain. Khera pointed out that Gadkari had promised to establish ethanol production centers in 2018, but they are yet to be completed. He also stated that the ethanol being produced is damaging vehicles and has not resulted in cheaper petrol prices.
Khera detailed the alleged financial benefits for Gadkari’s family, mentioning that Nikhil Gadkari’s company saw a significant increase in revenue and share prices. He also noted that the ethanol policy has been detrimental to farmers, who are not receiving adequate compensation for their crops, while ethanol production poses a threat to the environment. Khera also brought up the issue of Russian crude oil, questioning the benefits of importing cheaper oil, which he alleges is being processed in refineries connected to individuals associated with the government, and mixed with ethanol to be sold at higher prices. He also highlighted that the government is now promoting E30, despite the problems experienced with ethanol blends.