Prosecution to follow if excess ethanol is found in petrol, says minister; more inspections planned

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Minister Anoop Jacob has expressed concern over the Centre's announcement that ethanol content in petrol would be increased further in the coming years. He said foodgrain buffer stocks would be used for ethanol production and stressed the need to make proper arrangements to store these stocks.

The minister said the state government's stand was that the Centre should not take any decision that could affect food security. His response came after Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi announced that the ethanol content in petrol would be increased.

Anoop Jacob said the state was conducting the petrol inspections without any preconceived notions and that further action would be taken only after the test results were available. He also warned that prosecution proceedings would be initiated if excess ethanol was found in petrol.

Inspections will be conducted today to determine whether excessive quantities of ethanol have been mixed with petrol supplied in the state. Five petrol pumps each in Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, Kozhikode and Kannur districts will be inspected. The inspections follow reports that petrol sold in Karnataka contained 26 to 31 per cent ethanol.

The state government has also asked oil companies to participate in the ongoing inspections. The government has made it clear that the move to verify ethanol levels in petrol will not be limited to a single round of testing. Further inspections will also be conducted.

Meanwhile, Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi had said recently that the ethanol content in petrol would be increased further. He said 20 per cent was the currently approved limit, but it would be raised gradually after examining the scientific possibilities. Speaking to reporters in Thrissur, he said the decision would be based on scientific assessments.

"Let them conduct inspections in Karnataka and Kerala. There is a scientific basis for this. If someone creates unnecessary controversy for political reasons, we will see who will be affected and where," Suresh Gopi said.