New Delhi, August 20, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday criticised the Centre’s ethanol policy, alleging that diverting sugarcane towards ethanol production has contributed to a sharp rise in sugar prices.
In a video message, Kejriwal claimed that sugar prices had increased by ₹20 per kg in 17 days, rising from ₹46 to ₹65 per kg. He linked the alleged increase to a shortage of sugarcane and sugar following the diversion of cane for ethanol production.
Kejriwal said the government had promoted ethanol blending with petrol as a measure to reduce dependence on imported oil and save foreign exchange. He argued that the policy could now result in India spending foreign exchange on importing sugar instead.
“They’re talking about saving foreign exchange by blending ethanol with petrol,” Kejriwal said, questioning the rationale behind the policy. “Now we’re forced to spend the same foreign exchange to import sugar.”
He also alleged that ethanol-blended petrol was affecting vehicle performance and mileage, saying consumers were facing higher costs on both fuel and sugar.
The AAP leader questioned whether adequate consideration had been given to the availability of sugar after diverting part of the sugarcane crop towards ethanol production.
“When sugarcane was diverted towards ethanol, they should have thought about where the sugar would come from if so much sugarcane went into ethanol production,” he said.
Kejriwal further claimed that India, which had previously exported sugar, was now preparing to import it. He described the development as an example of what he called poor policy planning and questioned the government’s decision-making.
“Is this a government or a joke? A government fully made of uneducated people,” he said.
He also criticised the Centre’s handling of other major policy decisions, including demonetisation and the government’s response during the Covid-19 pandemic. Referring to the latter, he alleged that people were asked to bang thalis instead of being provided oxygen cylinders.
Kejriwal concluded by blaming voters for electing what he described as “uneducated people” to positions of power, arguing that citizens were ultimately bearing the consequences of government decisions.
The claims were made by Kejriwal in his video message and were presented as his criticism of the Centre’s policy decisions.
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