Kerala has launched random fuel quality (Img: Pinterest)
Ernakulam: The Kerala government has initiated random inspections at petrol pumps across the state. The objective is to verify the ethanol content in E20 petrol. This move follows a report from Karnataka, which indicated that petrol samples collected from certain retail outlets contained ethanol levels exceeding the prescribed limit 20%.
Kerala’s Minister for Food and Civil Supplies, Anoop Jacob, stated, "We are collecting random samples from across the state to determine whether the ethanol content remains within the stipulated limits. We are adhering to all established regulations."
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District Civil Supplies Officer Shaji P.R. noted that on Monday, officials conducted an inspection at an Indian Oil Corporation petrol pump in Chembumukku, Ernakulam district. He added, "We collected six one litre samples of petrol to test for ethanol content. Two of these samples have been sent to the Analytical Chemistry Laboratory in Kakkanad, and we are currently awaiting the results."
The inspections were prompted by reports from the Karnataka Department of Food, Civil Supplies, Consumer Affairs, and Legal Metrology, which revealed that petrol samples from some retail outlets contained ethanol levels ranging between 26% and 31.2%. This finding has raised questions regarding compliance with the central government’s ethanol-blending standards, which mandate that E20 petrol should contain 20% ethanol.
However, the Union Ministry of Petroleum has defended the quality of E20 petrol supplied by public sector oil marketing companies (OMCs), asserting that the fuel meets the prescribed standards. In a statement, the Ministry indicated that all 893 samples tested by three public sector oil marketing companies—including 56 samples from Karnataka were found to have an ethanol content ranging between 19% and 21%. This level is in compliance with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) standard, IS 17021.
According to the Ministry, the ethanol content in the 56 samples collected from Karnataka ranged between 19% and 20%.
The state run oil marketing companies have raised questions regarding these results from Karnataka. They have expressed concerns about the sampling and testing procedures followed by the state during its investigation in October. Furthermore, they have requested access to the complete sampling records, laboratory reports, and the testing methodologies employed.
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These companies have also proposed conducting joint testing of the samples, in adherence to established protocols. Regarding the possibility of states conducting independent investigations, Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi stated that the governments of Karnataka and Kerala are free to carry out their own independent assessments of ethanol levels in petrol.
According to the reports, Gopi emphasized that the Centre’s ethanol-blending policy is grounded in scientific principles. He explained that the 20% blending program was implemented only after a thorough assessment of its feasibility and scientific implications.
He advised against politicizing the issue, warning that unnecessary political controversy could ultimately harm the consumers.
The government maintains that the nationwide E20 program aims to reduce India’s dependence on imported crude oil, lower emissions, and support farmers by increasing the procurement of ethanol. The Ministry of Petroleum has also noted that the impact of E20 fuel on vehicle mileage may vary depending on the vehicle category and engine.
