Kerala to test petrol for ethanol content following Karnataka row
The Kerala government will collect petrol samples from at least 20 locations to check ethanol levels after Karnataka reported over-blending.
The Kerala government is preparing to test the ethanol content in petrol being sold across the state, according to the Deccan Herald. Food and Civil Supplies Minister Anoop Jacob has issued instructions to conduct these tests following a dispute in Karnataka regarding ethanol levels.
Government sources stated that samples will be collected from at least 20 spots in various districts of Kerala starting on Monday. Minister Jacob, who held discussions with Chief Minister V D Satheesan, directed that swift action be taken against petrol pumps selling fuel with more than 20 per cent ethanol content.
The move follows claims by the Karnataka government that tests conducted in October found ethanol levels as high as 31.2 per cent in some samples. Karnataka Food, Civil Supplies and Legal Metrology Minister Rizwan Arshad said 14 of 63 tested outlets exceeded the prescribed limit.
Public-sector oil marketing companies, including Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum Corporation, and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation, have rejected these allegations. The companies stated that a separate quality-monitoring exercise by the petroleum ministry's Centre for High Technology showed ethanol levels in Karnataka were between 19 per cent and 20 per cent.
Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi told reporters that while states are free to test petrol, the issue should not be politicised. He said the government decided to allow up to 20 per cent ethanol blending based on scientific studies.