Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday described the backlash against petrol blended with 20 per cent ethanol, or E20 fuel, as a "paid campaign", while highlighting the potential of alternative fuels to reduce India’s dependence on imported fossil fuels.

Speaking at an event organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Gadkari’s remarks came a day after the government notified amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, allowing the certification of flex-fuel vehicles capable of running on high-ethanol blends, including E100.