Karnataka stands by findings of excess ethanol in petrol samples
Minister Rizwan Arshad challenged oil marketing companies to explain high ethanol levels found in 63 state-collected petrol samples.
Karnataka Minister for Food, Civil Supplies, Consumer Affairs and Legal Metrology Rizwan Arshad said on Monday that the state government maintains its findings that oil marketing companies (OMCs) are blending more than the allowed 20 per cent ethanol in petrol. According to Siasat, Arshad noted that some samples showed ethanol levels as high as 31.2 per cent.
The minister challenged OMCs to clarify the true ethanol concentration in 63 samples gathered from petrol pumps across the state. Arshad rejected claims that irregularities occurred at individual outlets, stating that ethanol blending is an automated process performed at terminals rather than by dealers.
Arshad expressed concern that excessive blending could damage vehicle engines and increase costs for citizens. He also alleged that vehicle mileage had dropped by 20 to 30 per cent in certain instances. The minister demanded that consumers be allowed to choose between E10, E20, E30, and pure petrol based on their vehicle compatibility.
In Bengaluru, Congress workers led by S Manohar staged protests at petrol pumps, alleging that fuel being sold as E20 contained much higher ethanol levels, according to Urban Acres. Meanwhile, the Kerala government has initiated inspections in four districts to check for similar malpractices, as reported by The Indian Express.
Kerala Civil Supplies Minister Anoop Jacob stated that officials have collected samples from nine fuel outlets for testing at government chemical laboratories. Results from the Kerala inspections are expected within 10 days.