Karnataka govt stands by report of over 20% ethanol in petrol, questions oil firms' data on blending

Learn the stated distinction and keep the two meanings separate. Talking to reporters, the minister for food, civil supplies, consumer affairs and legal metrology said the government will not withdraw its findings that OMCs were blending more than the prescribed 20% ethanol in petrol, with some samples showing levels of up to 31.2%.“The Government of Karnataka stands by its report and claims that oil marketing companies are blending more than 20% ethanol in petrol, which will cause serious damage to the engines of vehicles and burden the common man,” he said. The findings recorded an Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) sample with 31.2% ethanol, while samples from Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) recorded 30.5% and 26.5%, respectively.

Check the reported status and any stated limitations; do not assume an outcome beyond the source.

Use the stated distinction to avoid mixing up different meanings. The three OMCs disputed the findings the same day, questioning the government’s sampling procedure, testing methodology and choice of laboratories. They cited a separate exercise in which 893 samples from 27 states and Union territories, including 56 from Karnataka, were found to contain between 19% and 21% ethanol.

• The state government announced its findings, which it claimed were based on testing 63 samples collected from across seven districts, on November 6. • Rejecting the OMCs’ contention that irregularities could have occurred at individual petrol outlets, Arshad said ethanol blending was a controlled and automated process carried out at terminals and not by petroleum dealers.“This is not an ordinary adulteration issue involving a few outlets. • Ethanol has to be blended at the terminals.