Punjab CM Mann exhorts consumers to unite, fight against 'injustice' over E20 petrol supply

Chandigarh, Jul 16 (PTI) Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday alleged that consumers are facing injustice through the supply of E20 petrol and called upon people to unite and fight against it. Urging people to support the campaign launched by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal, the chief minister appealed to citizens across the country to sign an online petition at 'stopE20petrol.com' so that the concerns of those affected by the issue could reach Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In a video message, Mann said, "Every citizen should add their voice by signing the petition to compel the BJP-led central government, which has deliberately turned a blind eye to this serious issue, to take corrective action. From motorcycles to other vehicles, people across the country are facing problems with their vehicles due to E20 petrol. "Against this exploitation, Arvind Kejriwal ji has written to the prime minister with two concrete demands. First, people should have the freedom to choose between pure petrol and E20 petrol and second, the price of E20 petrol should be reduced immediately," he said, adding that every single signature is important to ensure that the people's voice reaches the Centre. Mann claimed that E20 petrol is causing grave damage to vehicles across the country. "Vehicle mileage has declined and people are increasingly raising this issue before the central government. Unfortunately, despite growing public concern, the BJP-led central government has failed to take notice. "Instead, anxiety among vehicle owners is increasing as people fear that the vehicles they purchased with their hard-earned money could suffer serious engine damage," he said. Mann said Kejriwal himself went into the field to hear people's grievances. "During a visit to a vehicle repair garage, he witnessed long queues of damaged vehicles and widespread resentment among the public. Following this, Kejriwal immediately wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to intervene without delay. "Will the central government wake up only after the scale of damage to vehicles reaches the prime minister's notice?" he said. Mann said that consumers should be given the option of choosing the type of petrol they wish to purchase. E20 petrol should be priced lower than pure petrol instead of both being sold at the same price, he said. "Charging the same price benefits large oil companies while placing an unfair financial burden on ordinary consumers," he added. PTI CHS KSS KSS