vidarbha times

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ethanol Issue & Nitin Gadkari:With LessThan 0.6% of India's Ethanol Production and 100% blame is rubish and nonsense , use of agroweste as fuel is only solution for present agrarina crisis-Kishore Tiwari

Date: 20 July 2026

Indian Trensport Minister Nitin Gadkari is being Defamed vitimised for E-20 Isssue promotiom when real trith is torally diffrent and it's  dangerous trend is emerging in our public discourse. Instead of debating policies on the basis of facts, individuals and their families are increasingly being subjected to public trial through selective narratives and misinformation. Innocent Entrepreneurs in the Name of Politics When Ethanol Blenders coutries are United States, Canada, and most European Union nations, Australia Brazil (which mandates E27), Paraguay (E30),Bolivia (E25), and Zimbabwe (E20) then why thare is huge cry against the India move to save import petrol and save exchange and promote the ethenol belnding when USA is the top belnders in the world here are the E20 to E30 (High Blenders) countries use 20% or more as standard fuel, including Brazil (which mandates E27), Paraguay (E30),Bolivia (E25), and Zimbabwe (E20). The vast majority of the 60+ countries use between 5% and 10% ethanol. This includes the United States, Canada, and most European Union nations.E85 (Flex-Fuel) is being used by many regions like the US and parts of Europe also make higher mixtures (up to 85% ethanol) available at specific pumps for specialized flex-fuel vehicles,Farmer leader and agrarian policy activist Kishore Tiwari informed today.

Ethanol – Laying the foundation for the transition from 'Annadata' (food provider) to 'Urjadata' (energy provider)

Why Maize?

 India produces approximately 35 million tonnes of maize annually.

 Farmers receive low prices due to limited domestic demand.

 Maize has high starch content, making it the most suitable crop for ethanol production.

Maize requires less water compared to sugarcane, making it a more sustainable option.

Ethanol from Maize = Empowerment for Farmers

 Ethanol plants will procure produce directly from farmers, ensuring they get good prices.

 Protein-rich animal and poultry feed can be produced as a by-product.

This will help double farmers' income and reduce the risk of price drops.

Kishor Tiwari who is known farm activist and worked for decade as farmers mission chairman in maharashtra who is promptimg agroweaste as fuel since 1995,has strongly criticized what he described as a coordinated campaign to malign Union Minister Nitin Gadkari by targeting his sons, Nikhil Gadkari and Sarang Gadkari, over their participation in India's ethanol sector.,According to Tiwari, the controversy has been built around perception rather than facts. He said available industry data indicates that businesses associated with Nikhil Gadkari and Sarang Gadkari together account for less than 0.6% of India's ethanol production, placing them far below the country's leading ethanol manufacturers.

"If these companies together contribute less than one percent of India's ethanol production, portraying them as dominating the sector is factually incorrect and grossly misleading," Tiwari said.

Tiwari emphasized that India's ethanol expansion is a Government of India policy, implemented to strengthen energy security, reduce crude oil imports, improve environmental sustainability, and create additional income opportunities for farmers. Hundreds of sugar mills, agro-processing units, cooperatives, and private companies have entered ethanol production under this national policy.

He argued that criticism should be based on evidence rather than assumptions.

"Every company operating in the ethanol sector must comply with the same legal, financial, taxation, environmental, and regulatory standards. If any violation exists, the law should take its course. However, no individual or family should be declared guilty merely because they are related to a public figure," Tiwari stated.

Referring to questions raised about financial performance, Tiwari said that comparisons between different financial years should account for acquisitions and consolidation of subsidiaries, where applicable, before drawing conclusions.

Tiwari further observed that Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has advocated alternative fuels, biofuels, ethanol, green hydrogen, and rural energy security for several decades. In his view, the current controversy risks diverting attention from the larger national debate on India's transition toward cleaner and more self-reliant energy sources.

He said the country should focus on objective discussion regarding India's ethanol programme, which aims to reduce dependence on imported crude oil, strengthen the rural economy, and generate employment.

"India's ethanol mission is not about one family or one company. It is about national energy security, farmer prosperity, environmental sustainability, and reducing the country's import bill," Tiwari said.

He also appealed to journalists and political parties to distinguish between legitimate scrutiny and character assassination.

"Healthy public debate is essential in a democracy. But public discourse must remain anchored in verified facts, proportionality, and fairness rather than sensational narratives," he added.

Tiwari concluded by saying that he has known Nitin Gadkari for decades and believes public discussion should remain evidence-based rather than driven by speculation or political polarization.

"The real issue before the nation is whether India will continue strengthening its biofuel revolution in the interest of farmers, consumers, and national energy security. Public debate should be guided by facts, not misinformation," Tiwari said.

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