E20 debate widens: Karnataka to reveal probe findings on Monday; MoS Suresh Gopi backs OMCs

Bengaluru: Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Sunday said the Karnataka government will disclose more details on the alleged excess ethanol-blending issue on Monday, even as Kerala ordered laboratory tests on petrol samples. Oil marketing companies (OMCs) have denied Karnataka’s charges and called for joint and transparent testing.

Speaking to reporters, Shivakumar said samples had been collected from 67 locations across the state and Food and Civil Supplies Minister Rizwan Arshad would present the inspection report and outline the government's next course of action on Monday.

The CM said the government had taken serious note of complaints over petrol allegedly containing ethanol levels of up to 31.5%, well above the mandated blend. Karnataka has informed the Centre and directed the concerned department to investigate the issue, he added.


"Thousands of motorists have complained of reduced mileage, shorter travel distances and vehicles stalling while in motion," Shivakumar said.

He said inspection teams examined not only retail fuel outlets but also facilities involved in ethanol blending and distribution. Officials have collected records detailing where and how blending was carried out, and a comprehensive report will be made public, he added.

Shivakumar said the Centre could not "shirk responsibility" on an issue involving fuel quality, vehicle performance and public safety. He criticised any move to increase blending ratios purely to take advantage of lower ethanol costs, saying public inconvenience could not be justified.

Meanwhile, Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi defended the Centre's ethanol-blending programme, saying the decision to allow 20% ethanol blending (E20) was backed by scientific studies and technical assessments. He said any future increase in blending levels would also be based on scientific feasibility and warned against politicising technical issues.

Kerala's Food and Civil Supplies Department has ordered testing of petrol samples from four districts.

The three state-run OMCs have, however, rejected Karnataka's claim that petrol sold at some retail outlets contained 26-31% ethanol. The companies said the findings were not based on prescribed testing procedures and could not be independently verified.