In Karnataka, the issue of mixing ethanol in petrol beyond the prescribed limit has become heated. Supporting the allegations, Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said that ethanol is being mixed in excess of the prescribed limit at many petrol pumps in the state. He told that the Central Government has also been informed about this matter and on Monday, a state minister will hold a press conference and present the documents and complete information related to the investigation.
Tezzbuzz Desk – Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Sunday reacted to allegations of excessive adulteration of ethanol in petrol. He said that this matter is not related to the politics of any political party or opposition. The government is investigating it on the basis of people's complaints. Shivkumar said that he has given necessary instructions to the concerned minister in this matter. Also, the Central Government has been given information about those 67 places from where petrol samples have been taken.
According to the Chief Minister, thousands of vehicle owners in the state have complained about problems in their vehicles due to petrol. People say that the engines of their vehicles are repeatedly shutting down and the mileage has also reduced. He said that the investigation of the case is going on and so far about 30 percent of the investigation has been completed.
DK Shivakumar claimed that investigation has revealed that ethanol is being adulterated at petrol pumps only. He said that at the places where petrol is being distributed, mixing of ethanol more than the prescribed limit has come to light. The government also has documents related to this.
The Chief Minister alleged that due to low price of ethanol, its quantity is being increased to earn more profits. Describing it as dangerous, he said that it is necessary to make people aware about this and save them from such situation. Shivakumar also clarified that the matter has nothing to do with the state government. On Monday, the minister will hold a press conference and share documents and other information related to the investigation.
On the other hand, the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has given clarification on the claims of excessive adulteration of ethanol in Karnataka. According to the ministry, all 893 samples of E20 petrol taken from petrol pumps of government oil companies in 27 states and union territories of the country have met the prescribed quality standards.
This clarification comes after Karnataka's Food, Civil Supplies, Consumer Affairs and Legal Metrology Department claimed that 26 to 31 percent ethanol content was found in petrol sold at some petrol pumps in the state.
State oil companies Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum Corporation and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation have said that the process of mixing ethanol in petrol is controlled and automated. This is done as per the prescribed legal rules and there is no scope for manual adulteration.
Earlier, Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi had also defended the decision to mix 20 percent ethanol in E20 petrol. He had said that the government has approved 20 percent ethanol blending on the basis of scientific evidence and technical assessment. In future its quantity will also be increased gradually after assessing the technical possibilities.