Bengaluru, India – A dispute has emerged in Karnataka regarding the ethanol content in petrol, after the state's Consumer Affairs Minister, Rizwan Arshad, announced that departmental tests indicated concentrations higher than the officially declared 20% for E20 fuel.

The minister, speaking in Bengaluru, stated that 63 petrol samples collected from seven districts across Karnataka showed ethanol levels reaching up to 31.2%. Following these findings, the Karnataka government has formally requested an explanation from the Union government. Minister Arshad also called for the establishment of a consumer relief fund, citing the potential implications of the elevated ethanol content.

However, leading Indian oil companies have swiftly refuted the state government's assertions. Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum, and Hindustan Petroleum issued a joint rejection of the claims, stating that the figures reported were "not supported by testing conducted in accordance with the prescribed statutory and technical procedures." The companies also raised concerns regarding the methodology employed in the state's testing process.

Bharat Petroleum (BPCL) further elaborated on its position, noting that its own extensive testing involved 893 samples, implicitly contradicting the results presented by the Karnataka government. The company's response directly followed the state government's announcement of its 63-sample collection and testing initiative.

The contention highlights a significant divergence in findings between state authorities and the national oil corporations concerning fuel quality standards. The Karnataka government's move to seek clarification from the Union government underscores the seriousness with which it views the test results, while the oil companies maintain adherence to established protocols and testing standards. The situation leaves consumers awaiting further clarity on the actual composition of the E20 petrol being supplied.