Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said on Sunday that the samples were collected across the state after thousands of motorists complained about reduced mileage, shorter travel distances and engines stalling while in motion. Food and Civil Supplies Minister Rizwan Arshad will present the inspection report and the government's next course of action on Monday.
Complaints from thousands of motorists
The government has taken serious note of complaints regarding 31.5 per cent ethanol being blended into petrol, against the mandated 20 per cent limit under the E20 programme. Motorists have reported a range of problems, including reduced fuel efficiency, lower than expected mileage and engines switching off while vehicles are in motion. Inspections were carried out not only at petrol pumps but also at various stages where ethanol is being blended and distributed. Documents detailing where and how the blending is being done have also been collected, the Chief Minister said.
What the laboratory tests found
Arshad released details of an inspection on Friday, claiming that laboratory tests on petrol samples collected across Karnataka found ethanol content significantly above the prescribed E20 limit. According to Arshad, samples collected from multiple districts and tested at NABL-accredited laboratories showed ethanol content of up to 31.2 per cent in an Indian Oil sample and 30.5 per cent in a Hindustan Petroleum sample, with most tested samples allegedly exceeding the 20 per cent threshold. The state had initially sought ethanol-content data from oil companies but turned to independent laboratories after the information was allegedly not provided. Arshad has urged the Union Government to take action against companies found violating blending norms, make ethanol-content disclosure mandatory at fuel stations, and establish a compensation mechanism for consumers affected by vehicle damage linked to over-blending.
Chief Minister holds Centre responsible
Shivakumar said the Central government cannot shirk responsibility on the matter. He said it is not right to increase the blending ratio simply to profit from ethanol being available at a lower cost, and causing inconvenience to the public is not acceptable. He attacked the state BJP and Janata Dal (Secular) leaders for being silent on the issue. The Chief Minister said the Centre had been informed about the matter, particularly the concerns around the reported 31.5 per cent ethanol content in petrol. He said the government possessed documentary evidence to support its findings and had shared details of all 67 sampling locations with the Centre.
Oil companies reject the claims
The three state-run oil marketing companies have rejected Karnataka's claims and called for joint and transparent testing. They have questioned the state's testing procedures and findings, and have sought a joint verification process. The controversy follows the Petroleum Ministry's statement that all 893 E20 petrol samples tested across 27 states and Union Territories complied with prescribed quality standards. Kerala has also ordered laboratory testing of petrol samples, following Karnataka's lead.
Report due on Monday
Arshad is scheduled to release the detailed inspection report on Monday, setting out the findings from the 67 locations and the government's next steps. The report is expected to include the laboratory results and the action the state plans to take against violations of the blending norms. The outcome of the report will shape the next phase of the dispute between the state government, the Centre and the oil companies over fuel quality and the ethanol blending programme.
