Kerala tests petrol samples for ethanol content following Karnataka reports
Food and Civil Supplies Minister Anoop Jacob ordered inspections in four districts to verify if ethanol levels exceed the prescribed 20 per cent limit.
The Kerala government began testing petrol samples from fuel stations in Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, Kozhikode and Kannur on Monday. According to Telangana Today, the inspections were conducted following reports from neighbouring Karnataka regarding excess ethanol content in petrol.
Food and Civil Supplies Minister Anoop Jacob said the tests aim to address public concerns over fuel quality. He noted that while no incidents of excessive blending have been reported in Kerala so far, the move follows reports of vehicles experiencing reduced mileage and damage.
Six samples were collected during the inspections in the presence of representatives from oil companies. The minister stated that the government would initiate prosecution proceedings if the tests establish that petrol contains ethanol beyond the permitted level.
The inspections follow claims by the Karnataka government that petrol samples contained up to 31.2 per cent ethanol. The Union government and oil companies have rejected those findings, questioning the scientific methods used in the Karnataka tests.
The collected samples have been sent to government-run chemical laboratories for analysis. Minister Jacob said the state expects to receive the results within 10 days, after which further action will be decided.