Keralam Orders Petrol Checks After Karnataka Ethanol Dispute

Keralam’s first round of petrol checks will cover four districts: Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, Kozhikode and Kannur. Food and Civil Supplies Minister Anoop Jacob ordered the inspections after Karnataka reported petrol samples with ethanol levels as high as 31.2%. Keralam says it has found no excess blending in the state, but reports from its neighbour prompted action. ^1,4

Officials will collect samples from the four districts as checks begin under a state notice issued in 2014. It gives Civil Supplies officials, including Taluk Supply Officers, power to inspect petrol outlets and take legal action. Jacob said the state would act strictly if tests find ethanol levels above the limit. The move follows Karnataka’s claim that tests on 63 samples from Bengaluru and six other districts found levels as high as 31.2%, including in samples from major fuel sellers. ^1,5

That 31.2% figure is disputed. Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum say their E20 petrol meets the national standard, which allows readings from 19% to 21%. The Petroleum Ministry says 893 samples tested across 27 states and Union territories met the standard; its checks found all 56 Karnataka samples between 19% and 20%. The companies question Karnataka’s October sampling and lab methods, saying they did not get saved samples or full reports needed to check the results. Karnataka, meanwhile, has raised concerns about mileage and possible vehicle damage, but those effects have not been confirmed for the disputed samples. ^2,3

The competing results put fuel quality and testing methods at the heart of the dispute. Ethanol is blended into petrol as India expands the use of E20 fuel, but a high reading could matter to drivers and fuel sellers if confirmed. Keralam’s next step is to collect and test samples from the four named districts; any confirmed breach could lead to legal action under state rules. ^1,2