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Scientists Urge Halt to E20 Rollout, Scrapping NTA
Scientists and activists met in Mumbai during the India March for Science.
They asked the government to pause a fuel policy that mixes 20% ethanol with petrol.
They said more studies and better supporting systems are needed before the policy continues.
They also wanted the National Testing Agency replaced because of concerns about exam leaks and protests.
The group asked for a law against black magic, witch-hunting and fake faith healing.
They said government decisions should use science and evidence.
They called for more money for schools, colleges and research.
They also warned about climate change, pollution, deforestation and disappearing wildlife.
Scientists, academics and activists urged the government to suspend the E20 ethanol-blended fuel policy.
The group called for scrapping the National Testing Agency and reforming the examination system after question-paper leaks and NEET protests.
Signatories demanded a nationwide anti-black-magic law to address witch-hunting and fraudulent faith-healing practices.
The appeal sought higher public spending, including 10% of the Union budget and 30% of state budgets for education.
The India March for Science organisers linked evidence-based policymaking to concerns about climate change, environmental damage and pseudoscience.
- Who
- Scientists, academicians and activists, including M S Raghunathan, S G Dani, Aniket Sule, B M Arora, N Krishnan and Anil Kumar Singh.
- What
- They urged the government to halt E20, scrap the National Testing Agency, increase education and research funding, and enact a central anti-black-magic law.
- Where
- Mumbai, during the India March for Science.
- When
- The joint appeal was issued on a Saturday in Mumbai; the report is dated September 13.
- Why
- The group said public policies should follow scientific evidence and cited concerns about E20’s environmental and food-security effects, examination problems, pseudoscience and inadequate education and research funding.
Key facts
- E20 policy
- The group demanded an immediate suspension of the ethanol-blended fuel policy.
- Examination agency
- The appeal called for scrapping the National Testing Agency and overhauling the examination framework.
- Education funding
- The group sought at least 10% of the Union budget and 30% of state budgets for education.
- Research funding
- It demanded research spending of at least 3% of GDP, compared with a reported current level below 0.7%.
- Anti-black-magic law
- The signatories urged a stringent central law targeting witch-hunting and fraudulent faith-healing practices.
- Constitutional reference
- The appeal invoked Article 51A(h), concerning the duty to foster scientific temper.
- Campaign slogan
- The organisers used the slogan “Adopt Science, Secure the Future”.
Quotes
India March for Science organisers
Organisers of the India March for Science movement
“Adopt Science, Secure the Future”
deccanchronicle.com
theprint.in
Sources
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