Kerala to conduct surprise petrol inspections over ethanol content concerns
The state government will check fuel stations in four districts following allegations of excess ethanol in petrol in Karnataka.
The Kerala government will carry out unannounced inspections at fuel stations across Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, Kozhikode and Kannur on Monday. According to Mathrubhumi, the Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs Commission will lead the checks to determine if petrol contains ethanol levels exceeding the permitted limit.
Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Anoop Jacob took the decision after consulting Chief Minister VD Satheesan. The move follows reports from neighbouring Karnataka where petrol allegedly contained more than 31.2 per cent ethanol. The state has also considered complaints regarding widespread vehicle damage.
Officials will collect six samples from each selected fuel station for testing. These will be sent to the State Forensic Laboratory and the laboratories of oil companies. The government stated it has not yet detected any instances of excess ethanol blending within Kerala.
In Karnataka, Minister Rizwan Arshad said the government used private laboratories to verify facts after oil companies failed to provide clarity. He noted that more details regarding findings of ethanol levels between 26 and 31.2 per cent would be disclosed on Monday.
Public sector oil companies, including Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited, have rejected the Karnataka findings. They stated the tests did not follow prescribed statutory and technical procedures and maintained that E20 petrol complies with Bureau of Indian Standards specifications.