Minister Anoop Jacob has directed officials to check if ethanol levels in fuel exceed permitted limits following reports from Karnataka.
Kerala has ordered inspections at petrol pumps in Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, Kozhikode and Kannur to verify if ethanol blending exceeds permitted limits, according to Urban Acres. The move follows reports of alleged fuel fraud in Karnataka where petrol was reportedly found with ethanol levels as high as 31.2 per cent, exceeding the 20 per cent limit.
Minister for Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Anoop Jacob instructed the commissioner of civil supplies and consumer affairs to carry out these checks after talking with Chief Minister V D Satheesan. Officials stated that no instances of excess ethanol blending have been detected in Kerala so far, and the inspections serve as a preventive measure.
The process will involve gathering fuel samples from outlets across the four districts for laboratory testing. Under a 2014 state notification, officials including the commissioner and taluk supply officers are authorised to inspect outlets and pursue legal action if they find violations of the Central Motor Spirit and High Speed Diesel Order, 2005.
In Karnataka, Food, Civil Supplies, Consumer Affairs and Legal Metrology Minister Rizwan Arshad said tests were conducted in several areas including Bengaluru and Mangaluru. However, Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) rejected these claims, stating their E20 petrol meets Bureau of Indian Standards specifications.
Anoop Jacob said that the government would take strict action if any adulteration or excess blending is discovered during the upcoming inspections.
