OMCs reject Karnataka's 30% ethanol test, cite testing flaws
· Business · Times of India, The Hindu
Petroleum ministry retailers Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum on November 7 rebutted Karnataka government claims that petrol exceeded the 20% ethanol limit, stating the state's lab tests violated statutory procedures. The OMCs argued samples were drawn without their representatives present, contravening the Motor Spirit and High Speed Diesel Control Order 2005 and Marketing Discipline Guidelines 2024. Retailers countered with a nationwide quality monitoring exercise covering 893 samples across 27 states, finding ethanol within 19-21% and Karnataka's 56 samples recording 19-20% with a 19.3% average. The companies have sought full documentation and access to samples for independent testing, offering to cooperate on joint exercises following prescribed procedures. Karnataka food supplies minister Rizwan Arshad had claimed tests showed ethanol content as high as 31.2%, citing 14 of 63 petrol bunks including Nayara, Shell and MRPL facilities beyond the stipulated limit.
Why it matters
The dispute directly impacts fuel quality and pricing for Karnataka motorists, as OMC claims of compliant ethanol blending contrast with state lab findings of potential over-blending, affecting consumer trust and fuel costs.
Read the original report — Times of India
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