Oil Minister Puri on E20 fuel safety: ‘Come to us if insurers deny claims’

Responding to a query at the PAFI annual forum on insurance claims linked to E20, Puri said: “If insurance companies deny claims, please come to us.” He added that the issue had already been examined by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM).

Puri emphasised that despite global uncertainty, India is facing no energy shortages or cost escalation. He attributed the rise in oil and gas imports to strong domestic demand, which is growing at three times the global average. India has diversified its energy sourcing from 27 to 40 countries, he said, while criticising the UPA-era oil bonds for imposing a heavy burden on the exchequer.Also Read

: Mahindra says all vehicles safe on E20 fuel, will honour warranty commitmentsCalling green hydrogen the “fuel of the future” with the potential to cut imports, Puri noted that Indian Oil Corporation’s recent tender brought its price below $4. He also said 20% ethanol blending will save about ₹1.40 lakh crore in imports while benefiting farmers. Initiatives such as the Panipat bioethanol plant, which uses crop stubble, would both reduce imports and help tackle pollution, he added.

On urban challenges, Puri said India’s waste reprocessing capacity had increased from 14% in 2014 to over 80% today, and must cross 100% in line with growth. He highlighted the role of illegal constructions in worsening waterlogging and stressed the importance of river dredging, citing tanneries in Kanpur as an example.

He linked the success of ongoing schemes to the groundwork laid by the Swachh Bharat Mission, and pointed to the Supreme Court’s recent observation calling for punitive action against crop stubble burning.