New Delhi: The government on Friday defended the ethanol-blended petrol programme amid concerns over engine damage and mileage loss in vehicles using ethanol-blended fuel, saying the scheme has helped the sugar economy, boosted farmers' incomes and saved the country over Rs 1.90 lakh crore in foreign exchange since 2014-15.
Addressing a conclave organised by the Grain Ethanol Manufacturers Association (GEMA), Joint Secretary in the food ministry Ashwani Srivastava said ethanol has become central to the agricultural economy by creating new markets for surplus crops and reducing India's dependence on imported crude oil.
