Nagpur: Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Sunday brushed aside allegations linked to the ethanol controversy, declaring that his “brain is worth ₹200 crores” and that he knows how to earn with integrity.
Speaking at an event in Nagpur, Gadkari took aim at critics, saying he was not short of money and would never compromise his principles. “My brain is worth ₹200 crore per month. I know how to earn honestly. I am not at all short of money and I don’t stoop low,” he remarked.
The statement comes days after the Congress accused the government of a conflict of interest in promoting ethanol-blended petrol. The BJP dismissed the charges, saying the Opposition had failed to back its claims with evidence.
Reiterating his support for ethanol, Gadkari, while addressing a gathering of the Naam Foundation in Pune, underlined its importance for the survival of the sugar industry. “Sugar production is in surplus. The survival of sugar mills and cultivators is only because of ethanol. We import fossil fuels worth ₹22 lakh crore, and ethanol is helping reduce this burden,” he said, as quoted by PTI.
The rollout of 20% ethanol-blended petrol (E20) has sparked debate, with critics warning of reduced mileage and damage to engines. Gadkari, however, dismissed the concerns, calling the backlash a “paid campaign” aimed at targeting him politically. He also asserted that automobile manufacturers and stakeholders were on board with the ethanol policy.
The controversy intensified after the Supreme Court rejected a PIL challenging the nationwide rollout of E20, which alleged that motorists were being forced to use fuel incompatible with their vehicles.
