Ethanol controversy: Kerala joins Karnataka in testing fuel quality, Congress prepares to turn heat on Centre

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala has also initiated steps to test petrol for excess ethanol content after the Karnataka government reportedly found petrol with higher-than-permitted ethanol levels during inspections at fuel stations. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has been opposing E20 petrol, which contains ethanol.

With Kerala, also ruled by the Congress, joining the inspections, the issue is likely to turn into a major political controversy. The Congress is expected to use the issue to target the Centre.

Following discussions with Chief Minister V D Satheesan, Minister Anoop Jacob directed the heads of the Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs departments to conduct inspections. Samples will be collected from petrol pumps in major cities and from tankers transporting petrol to these outlets. The inspections will also check whether any other substances have been mixed with the fuel.

Under a notification issued by the state in 2014, officials ranging from the Commissioner of Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs to Taluk Supply Officers are authorised to conduct inspections and initiate legal action. The inspections will be carried out under the Central Motor Spirit and High Speed Diesel (Regulation of Supply, Distribution and Prevention of Malpractices) Order, 2005. Complaints have been increasing that the use of ethanol-blended petrol is causing damage to certain spare parts of vehicles.

Although Telangana, another state ruled by the Congress, has not yet decided to conduct ethanol tests, it may follow suit in the coming days. Rahul Gandhi again criticised the Centre on the issue on Saturday.

Centre rejects Karnataka's findings

Karnataka Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Rizwan Arshad had said at a press conference recently that tests conducted on 63 samples found ethanol levels above the permitted limit in seven districts, including Bengaluru. The permitted ethanol content is 20 per cent. However, levels of up to 31.2 per cent were detected, he said.

The Union Petroleum Ministry, however, said oil companies had pointed out that Karnataka had not established the findings through tests conducted in accordance with approved procedures.

"If adulteration is detected, strict action will be taken," said Minister Anoop Jacob.