Kerala orders petrol pump inspections in four districts over ethanol blending
The state is checking fuel samples following reports of excess ethanol content in petrol in neighbouring Karnataka.
Kerala has ordered inspections at petrol pumps in Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, Kozhikode and Kannur to check for ethanol blending beyond permitted limits, according to Urban Acres. The move follows reports of alleged fuel fraud in Karnataka.
Minister for Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Anoop Jacob instructed the commissioner of civil supplies and consumer affairs to carry out these checks. This decision came after discussions with Chief Minister V D Satheesan, a statement said on Saturday.
Officials stated that no instances of excess ethanol blending have been found in Kerala so far. The inspections serve as a preventive measure after Karnataka alleged that petrol contained ethanol levels as high as 31.2 per cent, exceeding the 20 per cent limit.
The state's civil supplies machinery, including taluk supply officers, is authorised to collect samples and initiate legal action under a 2014 notification. This notification was issued under the Central Motor Spirit and High Speed Diesel (Regulation of Supply, Distribution and Prevention of Malpractices) Order, 2005.
In Karnataka, Minister Rizwan Arshad said allegations were based on tests from several districts. However, Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) rejected the claims, stating their E20 petrol conforms to Bureau of Indian Standards specifications.