Thrissur, 08 Nov (H.S.):

Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi on Sunday defended the Centre’s ethanol-blending policy amid a controversy over reports that petrol samples collected from several fuel stations in Karnataka contained ethanol exceeding the permissible limit of 20 per cent.

Speaking to reporters in Thrissur, the Union Minister asserted that the Centre’s policy was backed by scientific evidence and that any future increase in the ethanol content of petrol would be undertaken only after examining its technical feasibility and safety implications.

The Minister said the government had currently approved blending ethanol with petrol up to 20 per cent and indicated that the proportion could be increased gradually in the coming years.

“Let the Karnataka and Kerala governments conduct their inspections. We have scientific support for our policy. We have approved 20 per cent ethanol blending, and this will be increased gradually after examining the scientific possibilities,” Suresh Gopi said.

His remarks came against the backdrop of a controversy in Karnataka, where inspections conducted by the state government reportedly revealed ethanol concentrations exceeding 30 per cent in petrol samples collected from fuel stations across several districts.

The findings triggered concerns over fuel quality, adherence to prescribed blending standards and the possible implications for vehicle performance.

However, oil marketing companies questioned the findings, maintaining that the authorities had not followed the prescribed testing methods and procedures while examining the samples.

The differing positions of the state authorities and oil companies have brought the issue of fuel quality monitoring and testing standards into focus.

Meanwhile, the Kerala government has ordered the collection and examination of petrol samples from fuel outlets across the state as a precautionary measure following the developments in neighbouring Karnataka.

The inspections are intended to determine whether petrol sold in Kerala complies with the approved ethanol-blending limits.

The controversy has also renewed attention on the Centre’s ethanol-blending programme, which seeks to reduce dependence on imported petroleum and promote alternative fuel sources.

Suresh Gopi maintained that scientific assessment would remain central to any future decision on increasing ethanol blending.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman