The Congress leader cited state tests showing ethanol content exceeding the 20 per cent limit in several fuel samples.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday criticised the central government regarding the rollout of E20 petrol, following laboratory tests in Karnataka. According to Telangana Today, Gandhi claimed that petrol samples collected by the Karnataka government from seven districts showed ethanol levels higher than the prescribed 20 per cent limit.
The Congress leader stated that 11 out of 14 samples exceeded the limit. He noted that samples from Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) recorded levels of 31.2 per cent and 30.5 per cent, respectively. Gandhi alleged that both government-owned and private companies, including BPCL, Nayara, and Shell, exceeded the threshold.
Gandhi warned that excessive ethanol blending could lead to lower vehicle mileage and increased maintenance costs. He also questioned why fuel stations do not display labels disclosing the actual ethanol content. He challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to an open debate on the issue.
Karnataka Food, Civil Supplies, Consumer Affairs and Legal Metrology Minister Rizwan Arshad said the samples were tested at the Shriram Research Institute in Bengaluru. The state government has sought action against oil marketing companies and compensation for consumers whose vehicles may be damaged.
State-run oil marketing companies, including IOCL, BPCL, and HPCL, have disputed the findings. In a joint statement, the companies said the E20 petrol they supply conforms to Bureau of Indian Standards specifications. They questioned the sampling and testing procedures used by the Karnataka government and noted the results were not supported by tests following prescribed statutory protocols.
