Porvorim, September 1, 2026: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs Capt. Venzy Viegas and Cruz Silva on Tuesday demanded that the Goa Legislative Assembly pass a resolution urging the Central Government to allow consumers in the state to choose between E20 petrol and pure, unblended petrol.

Raising the issue in the Assembly, the two legislators said the mandatory rollout of E20 petrol was creating difficulties for vehicle owners, particularly those using older vehicles.

Viegas said vehicles manufactured before 2023 were among those facing concerns over reduced mileage, performance and higher maintenance costs. He argued that taxi operators and motorcycle pilots were particularly affected as their vehicles were directly linked to their livelihoods and daily earnings.

Cruz Silva said nearly 80 per cent of Goans use two-wheelers and claimed that reduced mileage and additional repair expenses were placing an extra financial burden on consumers.

“If the government cannot compensate vehicle owners for damage or additional expenses caused by E20 petrol, Goans must at least be given a choice,” Silva said.

Viegas also questioned comparisons between India’s E20 rollout and Brazil’s ethanol-fuel programme. He argued that Brazil’s transition towards ethanol-based fuels took place over several decades, whereas the transition in India had been much faster.

He accused the BJP-led governments at the Centre and in Goa of failing to adequately address consumer concerns before expanding the use of E20 petrol.

AAP said its leaders had interacted with vehicle owners across Goa during July and received complaints relating to reduced mileage, increased repair requirements and other vehicle-related problems following the E20 rollout.

The party also referred to a recent town hall organised in Goa by AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, where mechanics, vehicle owners and other citizens discussed concerns over E20 petrol.

The two AAP MLAs demanded that the Goa Government formally take up the matter with the Centre and seek an arrangement under which consumers can purchase pure petrol alongside E20 fuel.

Meanwhile, the AAP legislators also raised concerns over the law-and-order situation in the state. Cruz Silva highlighted vacancies in police posts, while Viegas sought answers from Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on law-and-order issues amid interruptions from BJP legislators.

AAP maintained that vacant police posts and recent incidents in the state required urgent attention from the government.