Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Sep 4: Congress leader Pawan Khera on Thursday launched a scathing attack on the BJP government, accusing Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari of turning India’s ethanol blending policy into a “personal profit scheme” for his family.
Addressing a press conference, Khera alleged that while common citizens struggle with rising fuel prices, companies linked to Gadkari’s sons have seen “explosive” growth in profits.
“First vote chori, now petrol chori, by Modi ji. A government that came to power through milawat (adulteration) is now running the country on milawat,” Khera said.
He cited the example of Cian Agro Industries Infrastructure Ltd, owned by Gadkari’s son Nikhil, which reportedly saw revenue jump from Rs 18 crore in June 2024 to Rs 523 crore by June 2025. The company’s stock also surged over 2,100% in just eight months. Another of Gadkari’s sons, Sarang, is a director in Manas Agro Industries, also involved in ethanol production.
“This meteoric rise in revenues while the average Indian’s income stagnates is shocking. It reeks of crony capitalism,” Khera claimed.
He further alleged that Gadkari’s 2018 promises of cheaper ethanol-blended fuel have not materialised. Despite claims that ethanol would lower petrol and diesel prices to Rs 50–55 per litre, prices have instead increased — petrol rose from Rs 71.41 in 2014 to nearly Rs 95 in 2025.
“Seven years into blending, not a single paisa of relief has reached the common man,” Khera said.
Khera also cited technical concerns with E20 fuel (a 20% ethanol blend), claiming it reduces engine life by 25%, increases maintenance costs, and causes more mileage loss than officially stated. While NITI Aayog estimates a 6% drop in mileage, Khera argued that real-world use paints a worse picture.
On the agricultural impact, Khera alleged that ethanol plants are buying subsidised grains from the Food Corporation of India (FCI) at Rs 22.50/kg — well below the economic cost of Rs 39.75/kg — instead of purchasing directly from farmers at MSP. “This not only undermines farmers’ income but also depletes the country’s food reserves,” he warned.
He raised conflict of interest concerns, stating that although the government promised ethanol would be produced from waste and non-edible materials, in reality it is still heavily dependent on sugarcane. Khera accused Gadkari and RSS-linked interests of backing sugar mills in Maharashtra to maintain this reliance.
Calling it a case of “blatant profiteering,” Khera posed five questions to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding to know:
1. Will the Lokpal investigate the alleged conflict of interest involving Gadkari and his family?
2. Who is profiting from the ethanol blending drive?
3. Why have fuel prices not decreased despite the push for ethanol?
4. Why are FCI grains being sold to ethanol producers at below-cost prices?
5. What is the government doing to protect engine performance and consumers' interests?
The BJP is yet to issue a formal response to the allegations.