Politics · India · 12 hrs ago
Keralam begins testing petrol for ethanol levels above 20%
Keralam has begun testing petrol to see whether its ethanol content exceeds the permitted 20% blend.
Officials collected six samples each from nine pumps across Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, Kozhikode and Kannur, with oil-company representatives present.
The move follows similar tests in Karnataka, where the state says laboratory results found ethanol levels as high as 31.2%.
Three oil companies have challenged Karnataka’s sampling and testing methods, while the state disputes their objections.
Karnataka says higher ethanol content can reduce mileage and raise costs for drivers, and plans to send its findings to the central government and seek changes to testing rules.
Keralam says it will conduct further tests and prosecute if excess blending is found.
Union minister Suresh Gopi said states can test fuel but should avoid political accusations, adding that the Centre approved 20% blending after assessing its scientific feasibility.
Keralam began collecting petrol samples to check whether ethanol content exceeded the prescribed 20% blend.
Officials collected samples from nine petrol pumps across four districts, with oil company representatives present.
Civil Supplies Minister Anoop Jacob said more testing would follow and prosecution would be initiated if excess blending was found.
Union Minister of State for Petroleum Suresh Gopi said states could conduct tests but should avoid political mudslinging.
The testing follows similar action in Karnataka, where the state and three oil marketing companies dispute test results and methods.
- Who
- The Congress-led Keralam government, through its officials, collected the samples.
- What
- It began testing petrol for ethanol content above the prescribed 20%.
- When
- Monday.
- Where
- Nine petrol pumps in Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, Kozhikode and Kannur.
- Why
- To check whether petrol contained more ethanol than the prescribed 20% blend.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Karnataka conducted tests of petrol samples, which the three oil marketing companies later challenged.
Keralam officials collected petrol samples from nine pumps across four districts for ethanol testing.
- Prescribed ethanol blend
- 20%
- Petrol pumps sampled
- 9
- Samples per pump
- 6
- Districts
- Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, Kozhikode and Kannur
- Sampling oversight
- Oil marketing company representatives were present
What people are saying
Let them conduct the tests, whether it is Karnataka or Keralam govt. We have scientific support for it.
Those creating controversies for political purposes would have to face consequences.
illogical