ON
← Back to feed
CJP's win fuels call by 'E20 Janta Party' for no-ethanol option
India🏛️ PoliticsCenter6 hr. ago

CJP's win fuels call by 'E20 Janta Party' for no-ethanol option

The E20 Janta Party, inspired by previous political campaigns, is advocating for consumers to have the option to purchase 100% petrol rather than ethanol-blended E20 fuel. The group has garnered significant online support and is pushing for transparency in fuel labeling, cost comparisons, and independent research on fuel impacts. The Delhi Taxi and Tourist Transporters and Tour Operators Association has organized a protest at Parliament against the E20 policy, citing concerns about reduced fuel efficiency, higher maintenance costs, and negative effects on older vehicles. Despite the availability of ethanol-free premium petrol, it remains limited in distribution and significantly more expensive than E20 fuel. Government officials have stated that there is no widespread evidence of major issues with ethanol-blended petrol affecting vehicle performance.

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced on Tuesday that the state will introduce pre-paid smart meters for all electricity consumers in phases. The initiative aims to modernize the power distribution system and combat power theft, which has long plagued the sector. According to officials, four private companies have been contracted to install and maintain these smart meters. The rollout began with government institutions, schools, and employees, as part of a phased approach. Adhikari emphasized that misinformation about smart meters, particularly claims of inflated bills and negative impacts, has spread widely, often attributed to leftist groups. He noted that similar concerns were raised in Tripura, where smart meters were successfully implemented without adverse effects. To address grievances, the government launched a mobile application allowing users to report instances of power theft. During his remarks, Adhikari acknowledged past skepticism, even during his time as a leader of the opposition. He proposed a gradual introduction of smart meters, ensuring public confidence through transparency and support mechanisms. This included establishing grievance cells to handle complaints about billing discrepancies and providing assistance in case of disputes. The former Trinamool Congress (TMC) government initiated the project by introducing smart meters at all WBSEDCL offices in October 2024. Over time, the program expanded to include other government offices and domestic consumers in multiple districts. However, Kolkata remained excluded from the scheme due to its reliance on the Goenka group-owned CESC for power supply. Public resistance emerged in regions such as Howrah, North 24 Parganas, and East Burdwan, where residents claimed their electricity bills had increased significantly. These allegations led to protests organized by both Adhikari and CPI(M) leaders. Legal action was also taken, with cases filed at the Calcutta High Court challenging the implementation of smart meters. In response to the backlash, the TMC government halted the installation of new smart meters for domestic consumers in June 2025. Affected households were allowed to switch back to traditional meters. This decision reflected the influence of public sentiment and legal pressures on policy implementation. Similar controversies have arisen in other BJP-led states, including Uttar Pradesh, where public protests over domestic smart meters have occurred. These incidents highlight broader challenges in implementing technological upgrades in energy systems, particularly when they affect daily life and financial stability. As the state moves forward with its plan to reintroduce smart meters, the focus will likely remain on addressing community concerns and ensuring that the benefits of the technology are clearly communicated. The success of the initiative will depend on how effectively the government can manage public perception and resolve existing doubts.

How each side covered it

The same event, grouped by the political lean of the outlets covering it.

How each side covered it

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and your personalized For You feed.

Become a Supporter

Covered around the world

The same event as reported in other countries.

Covered around the world

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and your personalized For You feed.

Become a Supporter

Claims check

Key factual claims, and how many sources assert vs dispute each.

Claims check

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and your personalized For You feed.

Become a Supporter

2 reports

Hindustan Times logoHindustan TimesIndependentConservativeFactual 85Objective 704 days ago
Bengal to introduce smart meters for all consumers in phases: CM Adhikari

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced plans to introduce pre-paid smart meters for all electricity consumers across the state in phases. The initiative involves four private companies handling installation and maintenance. Initially targeting government institutions, schools, and employees, the program faced backlash from domestic consumers who reported significant increases in electricity bills. Protests emerged, particularly in Howrah, North 24 Parganas, and East Burdwan districts, leading to legal action and public complaints. The previous Trinamool Congress (TMC) government had begun implementing smart meters in 2024, but the current administration halted new installations for domestic users in June 2025, allowing them to switch back to traditional meters. Similar issues have occurred in BJP-led states like Uttar Pradesh.

Bias read (Conservative): The article frames the introduction of smart meters as a positive step toward efficiency and transparency, emphasizing the government’s efforts to combat power theft. It highlights the opposition from Leftist groups and references past instances where similar measures were implemented without 'bad'

Why factuality (85): The article reports the announcement by Chief Minister Adhikari regarding the introduction of smart meters in phases, citing four private companies involved. It mentions past actions by the TMC government and references consumer complaints about increased bills. The information aligns with cross-sou

Why objectivity (70): The article presents the CM's statements and includes quotes from him, but it also frames the issue in a way that suggests political motivations, particularly mentioning Leftist influence and referencing past protests. This introduces some bias, though it remains within the bounds of reporting.

Times of India logoTimes of IndiaIndependentProgressive6 hr. ago
CJP's win fuels call by 'E20 Janta Party' for no-ethanol option

The E20 Janta Party, inspired by previous political campaigns, is advocating for consumers to have the option to purchase 100% petrol rather than ethanol-blended E20 fuel. The group has garnered significant online support and is pushing for transparency in fuel labeling, cost comparisons, and independent research on fuel impacts. The Delhi Taxi and Tourist Transporters and Tour Operators Association has organized a protest at Parliament against the E20 policy, citing concerns about reduced fuel efficiency, higher maintenance costs, and negative effects on older vehicles. Despite the availability of ethanol-free premium petrol, it remains limited in distribution and significantly more expensive than E20 fuel. Government officials have stated that there is no widespread evidence of major issues with ethanol-blended petrol affecting vehicle performance.

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the E20 Janta Party's campaign as a grassroots movement with significant public support, emphasizing consumer choice and transparency. It highlights the concerns of transport associations and presents the issue as a matter of public interest and policy reform. While the government

Keep the news honest.

ObjectiveNews is reader-funded and ad-free — we show you the bias instead of hiding it. Support independent journalism for €5/month.

Become a Supporter

Related stories