The Karnataka government and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi have raised concerns over excess ethanol blending in fuel across seven districts.
The Karnataka government has alleged that petrol samples collected from seven districts contained ethanol levels exceeding the mandated 20 per cent limit, according to reports by Outlook and Onmanorama. Food, Civil Supplies, Consumer Affairs and Legal Metrology Minister Rizwan Arshad stated that tests conducted in Bengaluru, Kolar, Chikkaballapura, Bengaluru Rural, Ramanagara, Mangaluru and Tumakuru showed some samples reaching 31.2 per cent ethanol.
Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi also claimed that 11 out of 14 samples tested at an accredited laboratory went beyond the cap. Gandhi cited readings of 31.2 per cent at Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL) and 30.5 per cent at Hindustan Petroleum Corporation (HPCL). He accused various government-owned and private companies, including BPCL, Nayara and Shell, of crossing the prescribed limit.
Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has called on the Centre to mandate the disclosure of ethanol levels at all petrol pumps. He also proposed the creation of an E20 Damage Compensation Fund to assist vehicle owners facing potential damage, reduced mileage or higher maintenance costs due to the fuel.
Public sector oil marketing companies (OMCs), including IOCL, BPCL and HPCL, have rejected the findings in a joint statement. The companies said the tests did not follow established statutory procedures and questioned the sampling methodology used during the October exercise. They maintained that their E20 petrol complies with Bureau of Indian Standards specifications.
