Archive · 7 Aug 2026
Punjab Assembly's anti-E20 resolution draws farmer groups' support
E20 petrol is fuel that has a little bit of alcohol made from plants like sugarcane and corn mixed in.
The Punjab government passed a rule asking the national government to stop or check the use of E20 petrol in cars that were not made for it.
Some farmers like the E20 plan because it makes companies buy more of their sugarcane and corn.
Because of that, farmers say they are getting a lot more money.
One group of farmers in Punjab met in Chandigarh to say they support E20.
But they also said the government should listen to people who worry that old cars may not run well on this fuel.
A scientist said Punjab could grow more sugarcane for making ethanol if there is a good plan.
Everybody agrees the government should think about both farmers and car owners.
The Punjab Vidhan Sabha passed a resolution urging the Centre to review and suspend mandatory E20 petrol for vehicles not designed or certified to run on it.
Farmer bodies such as Kisan Bachao Morcha and Doaba Kisan Union, Punjab, backed the E20 policy at a Chandigarh meeting, citing better returns for maize and sugarcane growers.
Farmers have received payments exceeding Rs 1.66 lakh crore under the Ethanol Blended Petrol programme since 2014-15, and nearly Rs 42,000 crore in additional income in the 2024-25 ethanol supply year.
Some farmer leaders acknowledged consumer concerns over E20 compatibility with old vehicles and called for government research on solutions.
Punjab BJP's Pritpal Singh Baliawal asked Arvind Kejriwal to make public data on Punjab government fleet vehicles affected by E20, while Kejriwal alleged the Centre may raise ethanol blending above 50%.
- Who
- Punjab Vidhan Sabha (Assembly), farmer organisations including Kisan Bachao Morcha and Doaba Kisan Union, Punjab BJP, and AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal.
- What
- A political dispute over the mandatory E20 ethanol-blended petrol policy: the Assembly passed a resolution seeking its review or suspension, while farmer groups defended it.
- When
- Around the time the Punjab Assembly resolution was passed; no specific date is provided in the article.
- Where
- Punjab, India; a supporting farmer meeting was held in Chandigarh.
- Why
- Concern that many vehicles are not designed or certified for E20 fuel, against the policy's economic benefits for maize and sugarcane farmers.
E20 Policy Backers
E20 Critics
Farmer incomes
E20 Policy Backers
E20 policy creates stable demand for maize and sugarcane, enabling farmers to receive better and more stable prices.
E20 Critics
The Assembly wants E20 suspended because vehicles not designed or certified for the fuel may be harmed.
Vehicle compatibility
E20 Policy Backers
Farmer leaders say the government should research solutions for old vehicles rather than abandon a policy that helps farmers.
E20 Critics
Consumer concerns over old vehicles running on E20 cannot be ignored; Punjab BJP asks the state government to disclose fleet data.
Politics vs. farmers
E20 Policy Backers
Farmer leaders say opposing E20 is opposing farmers' economic empowerment, and legislators passed the resolution without consulting farmers.
E20 Critics
Kejriwal questions the Centre's motives, claiming it may raise ethanol blending above 50%, while the state flags compatibility worries.
- Resolution
- Review and suspend mandatory E20 petrol for non-compatible vehicles
- Assembly
- Punjab Vidhan Sabha
- Supporting groups
- Kisan Bachao Morcha, Doaba Kisan Union (Punjab)
- Farmers' payments since 2014-15
- Over Rs 1.66 lakh crore countrywide
- 2024-25 additional farmer income
- Nearly Rs 42,000 crore
- Punjab sugarcane area
- About one lakh hectares
- Large sugarcane producers
- Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat
- Vehicle makers in Punjab fleet
- Mahindra Auto, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, Maruti Suzuki