Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari struck a defiant note on Sunday, declaring that his “brain is worth 200 crore per month” and insisting he earns honestly, as political opponents alleged he stood to benefit from the government’s ethanol initiative.
Speaking at a public event in Nagpur, Gadkari rejected insinuations of personal gain linked to E20 petrol, a blend of 20 per cent ethanol with petrol that the Centre has promoted as a greener and cheaper fuel alternative.
“My brain is worth 200 crore per month. I know how to earn honestly,” Gadkari said, stressing that he neither faced a shortage of money nor indulged in dishonest practices.
The minister’s comments come at a time when detractors have questioned the safety, environmental impact and economic implications of ethanol-blended fuel. Critics have also alleged that two companies engaged in ethanol production are linked to his family.
Gadkari, without directly naming the controversy, elaborated on his family’s business interests. “I give ideas to my sons, but I do not resort to fraud. Recently, my son imported 800 containers of apples from Iran and exported 1,000 containers of bananas from India to Iran. There are no monetary dealings with Iran. My son is engaged in import and export. I also own a sugar factory, a distillery, and a power plant. I am not experimenting with agriculture for personal gain,” he remarked.
Also read: Ethanol saved India’s sugar industry, asserts Gadkari
The minister further pointed to his long-standing efforts to encourage local entrepreneurship. Citing an example, he said he had advised vegetable vendors in Nagpur to create fruit malls, enabling them to sell directly at prime city locations. “Let me tell you in advance, I am not doing all this for my own earnings, otherwise you may think something else. My income is ample. My brain is worth 200 crore per month. I have no shortage of money,” he reiterated.
Earlier, Gadkari had dismissed what he termed as a “paid” and “politically motivated” social media campaign against him over E20 petrol, asserting that the blend was safe and beneficial for both the environment and farmers.
The government has maintained that ethanol blending is a crucial step towards cutting crude oil imports, reducing vehicular emissions, and generating income for cultivators of sugarcane and maize.
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