After Karnataka Charge, Centre Says E20 Petrol Meets Prescribed Standards
The Indian government has defended its E20 ethanol-blended petrol program, citing test results that show fuel samples across multiple states meet quality standards. This statement counters claims from the Karnataka government, which alleged that some retail outlets were selling fuel with excessive ethanol content.
Why it matters
The dispute highlights potential regulatory friction between state and central authorities regarding fuel quality and the national transition to greener energy.
The government on Saturday defended the 20 per cent ethanol-blended petrol programme, saying tests of 893 samples collected across 27 states and Union Territories, including 56 in Karnataka, found them compliant with prescribed quality standards, as state-run oil companies challenged the Karnataka government's claims of excessive ethanol content in fuel sold at some retail outlets.The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, in a statement, said Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corporation (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation (HPCL) had found ethanol content in all 893 samples within the prescribed 19-21 per cent range under the Bureau of Indian Standards' IS 17021 specification.The 56 samples tested in Karnataka, covering different locations and all three oil marketing companies (OMCs), recorded ethanol content of 19-20 per cent, averaging 19.30 per cent, the ministry said.The findings directly contradict a recent press release by Karnataka's Department of Food, Civil Supplies, Consumer Affairs and Legal Metrology,…
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