Kerala begins petrol ethanol testing following Karnataka model
The Kerala government has started collecting fuel samples to check if ethanol content exceeds the prescribed 20 per cent limit.
The Congress-led government in Kerala on Monday began collecting petrol samples to verify if ethanol levels exceed the 20 per cent limit, according to The Times of India. This move follows similar actions taken by the Karnataka government.
Civil Supplies Minister Anoop Jacob stated that officials gathered six samples from nine petrol pumps in Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, Kozhikode and Kannur. These collections were conducted in the presence of oil marketing company (OMC) representatives using PESO-approved bottles and trained personnel.
Jacob added that more testing rounds will occur and legal action will be taken if excess blending is found. Union Minister of State for Petroleum Suresh Gopi said states are free to conduct tests but warned against using the issue for political purposes.
Gopi noted that the Centre permitted 20 per cent blending after assessing scientific feasibility and is implementing the transition gradually. He stated that the government has scientific support for the current standards.
In Karnataka, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Rizwan Arshad defended third-party laboratory findings showing ethanol levels as high as 31.2 per cent. Arshad said the state would send its findings to the Centre to request changes in testing protocols and discounted prices for E20 petrol.
Arshad claimed that blending of up to 30 per cent was occurring at six terminals where ethanol is mixed before distribution. The three OMCs, including IOCL, BPCL and HPCL, have challenged the Karnataka testing methodology, questioning if it followed statutory procedures and prescribed protocols.