Karnataka Stands by E20 Report, Seeks Third-Party Fuel Testing
Karnataka has reiterated its claim that petrol sold in the state has ethanol levels exceeding the mandated 20 percent limit, requesting nationwide testing by independent accredited labs and encouraging other states to perform their own evaluations.
The Minister for Food, Civil Supplies, Consumer Affairs, and Legal Metrology stated that the state government adhered to the mandated sampling and testing protocols and urged the OMCs to clarify the ethanol levels detected in 63 samples taken from petrol stations.
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The minister disclosed test outcomes from fuel samples gathered in seven districts last week, stating that ethanol levels varied from more than 20 percent to a maximum of 31.2 percent. Arshad stated that the results oppose the Center's E20 fuel policy and may have an impact on vehicle engines.
"We stand by our report. Consumers deserve to know exactly what they are paying for," the minister says, adding that Karnataka followed the prescribed legal process while collecting and testing samples.
The samples were analyzed in NABL-accredited and ISO-certified labs after OMC laboratories failed to provide ethanol percentage information in a previous testing phase, he stated, emphasizing the need for independent verification since ethanol blending occurred at both refinery and terminal stages.
Arshad further rejected OMC claims that Karnataka's sampling methods strayed from established protocols, asserting that all collections were recorded and carried out in line with regulatory standards. He charged oil companies with not offering a technical explanation for the inconsistencies.
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Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Bharat Petroleum (BPCL), and Hindustan Petroleum (HPCL) have, nonetheless, refuted the claims. They challenged the sampling process, asserting it was carried out without OMC representatives present.
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has dismissed Karnataka's assertions, confirming that all 893 E20 petrol samples gathered from public sector OMCs across 27 states and Union Territories adhered to the required quality standards.
Kerala's Food and Civil Supplies Minister Anoop Jacob stated that officials have started gathering fuel samples in accordance with established protocols and will send them to government-run laboratories for analysis.
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In Bengaluru, Congress members held demonstrations against supposed high levels of ethanol blending, while Opposition leader in the Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy indicated that the problem might arise from contamination during transport instead of at the refinery stage.