Travel operators demand full probe into ethanol-blended petrol test results

The Karnataka State Travel Operators Association has demanded a comprehensive investigation into alleged discrepancies in the testing results of ethanol-blended petrol in the state. According to a report by The Hindu, the association has requested the Central and State governments to conduct joint testing and make the findings public.

This demand follows recent claims by Rizwan Arshad, Karnataka's Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs. The Minister stated that the ethanol content in petrol sold by several major oil companies in Karnataka was significantly higher than the prescribed limit of 20%. In some instances, this proportion was found to be as high as 31.2%, raising questions about the transparency of ethanol-blended petrol sold to consumers across the country.

K. Radhakrishna Holla, president of the association, stated that given the concerns raised regarding fuel quality, the issue should be investigated based on scientific evidence and kept above partisan politics. He added that to investigate the discrepancy in results, it is necessary to establish whether the samples were collected from the same outlets, on the same dates, and from the same fuel batches.

Holla also demanded a review of the sampling process, sealing, transport, storage, and laboratory testing methods. The association suggested that if sealed duplicate samples are available, they should be re-tested in an independent laboratory. Additionally, new samples should be jointly collected from the outlets covered under the original exercise and tested according to the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) standard IS 17021.

Authorities have been urged to publish the results of all 63 original samples and their corresponding re-test results, along with sampling dates, batch details, and testing methods. If higher ethanol blending is proven, the point of failure in the supply chain should be identified and strict action taken against those responsible.

Highlighting Karnataka's ethanol production capacity, Mr. Holla stated that there are 81 sugar mills operational in the state, and the annual ethanol production capacity based on sugarcane and molasses is approximately 225 crore litres.

The association stated that vehicle owners should have clear information regarding compatibility with E20 fuel. Automobile manufacturers should publish compatibility details by model and year. Simultaneously, dealers and authorised service centres should explain the impact on mileage, maintenance, and warranty coverage.

The association has requested oil companies to clearly display the ethanol-blend grade at fuel stations and disclose their procurement costs for petrol and ethanol. Any savings resulting from ethanol blending should be passed on to consumers by reducing retail fuel prices. However, Mr. Holla noted that the association has not received any official complaints regarding vehicle problems caused by ethanol-blended petrol so far.