'Lying Through Its Teeth': Priyank Kharge Slams Centre Over Ethanol Blending
Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge alleges the Centre is cheating the public with ethanol blending levels exceeding limits to benefit Union ministers.
Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge has launched a scathing attack on the Central government, accusing it of "cheating" the Indian public regarding the ethanol blending process in petrol. The Minister alleged that the government has been misleading the nation about the actual levels of ethanol being mixed into fuel, claiming that the reality on the ground contradicts official proclamations.
Allegations of Exceeding Blending Limits
According to Kharge, reports from laboratories accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL)—which are themselves accredited by the Government of India—reveal that ethanol blending has far exceeded the limits announced by the Centre.
"The Government of India is lying through its teeth to the people," Kharge stated. He pointed out that while the government assured the public that blending would stay within a specific capacity, NABL reports indicate levels as high as 31%, with some cases reaching 35% or even 40%.
Claims of Profiteering and Cronyism
The Karnataka Minister did not stop at technical discrepancies; he alleged that this policy is designed to enrich a select few. Kharge claimed that the entire ethanol blending exercise has been orchestrated to facilitate and benefit companies linked to the family members of Union ministers, specifically mentioning the son of a central minister.
He further criticized the Centre's legal stance, referring to a submission made by the Solicitor General before the Supreme Court. Kharge noted that the Solicitor General had described ethanol blending as an "experiment" that was not being implemented nationwide. "If you actually look closely, you are experimenting on 1.3 billion people," Kharge remarked, questioning how such a massive scale of experimentation could be justified and alleging it is driven by profiteering.
Impact on Vehicles and Suppressed Concerns
Drawing on remarks made by Congress leader Rizwan Arshad, Kharge highlighted that vehicle organizations have reportedly written letters stating that higher ethanol blending is causing damage to vehicles. He alleged that these concerns were suppressed through threats and intimidation, forcing the withdrawal of such complaints.
Broad-Spectrum Criticism of Central Policies
Beyond the fuel controversy, Priyank Kharge touched upon several other pressing issues:
- Price Hikes: He attributed the rising cost of goods and services to a cascading effect triggered by price increases implemented by the Central government, noting the negative impact on milk unions.
- Public Transport: In a sharp swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding bus fares and fuel costs, Kharge stated, "Buses do not run on air... buses do not run on Modi's words," emphasizing the necessity of affordable fuel for public transport.
- Electoral Rolls: Regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, he mentioned that while Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge have met, the state leadership is still awaiting information from the Chief Minister, noting that there are many internal objections.
Response to HD Kumaraswamy
Addressing recent remarks by Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy, Kharge denied making certain attributed statements. He clarified that he was merely responding to personal comments directed at him and his family, questioning the conduct and language used by the Union Minister.