Keralam intensifies petrol inspections following ethanol blending concerns in Karnataka
The Keralam government has started random fuel checks after allegations that petrol in Karnataka exceeded the 20 per cent ethanol limit.
The Keralam government has increased inspections at petrol pumps across the state to check for excessive ethanol levels in fuel. This follows claims in Karnataka that some petrol contained ethanol concentrations higher than the permitted 20 per cent limit, according to reports by Mint and The Times of India.
Food and Civil Supplies Minister Anoop Jacob said random checks are being carried out in Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, Kozhikode and Kannur. The inspections follow public complaints regarding vehicle damage and concerns over fuel quality.
In Kochi, the Keralam Civil Supplies Department collected six one-litre petrol samples. District Civil Supplies Officer Shaji PR stated that two of these samples were sent to an analytical chemical laboratory in Kakinada for testing, and results are currently awaited.
The controversy began after Karnataka Minister Rizwan Arshad reported that tests on samples from several districts showed ethanol levels as high as 31.2 per cent. The Karnataka government has sought action against oil companies over these findings, which Urban Acres reports led to protests by Congress workers in Bengaluru.
Public sector oil marketing companies have rejected the claims, maintaining that their E20 petrol complies with Bureau of Indian Standards specifications. The Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas also stated that 893 samples collected across 27 states and Union Territories met quality standards.
Minister Jacob noted that ethanol content above 20 per cent is not allowed and warned that violators could face prosecution or have their outlets sealed. He added that laboratory results are expected within 10 days.