DK Shivakumar ethanol blending claims: Centre defends E20 standards after Karnataka petrol tests

What Karnataka petrol inspections revealed

Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar announced that state authorities have inspected 67 locations, including petrol pumps, blending facilities, and fuel distribution points, following consumer complaints regarding vehicle performance and engine stalling. State officials claimed that approximately 30 per cent of their preliminary investigation is complete, alleging that several petrol samples exceeded the mandated 20 per cent ethanol limit under India's national E20 initiative.

According to figures released by the state's Department of Food, Civil Supplies, Consumer Affairs and Legal Metrology, tests conducted by the Bengaluru-based Shriram Research Institute detected ethanol levels ranging between 25.5 per cent and 31.2 per cent across major fuel suppliers.

State Food and Civil Supplies Minister Rizwan Arshad urged the central government to set up a compensation mechanism for affected vehicle owners.

Centre and oil companies affirm fuel quality standards

The Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas rejected the state's assertions, confirming that all 893 samples of E20 fuel collected from public sector oil marketing companies across 27 states and Union Territories conformed to statutory quality standards.

Three state-run suppliers—Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum Corporation, and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation—emphasised that ethanol blending in India is an automated, strictly regulated process designed to prevent manual tampering. Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi stated that the nation's 20 per cent blending target is grounded in robust scientific assessments aimed at reducing emissions and strengthening energy independence. Central officials noted that comprehensive nationwide sampling of 700 to 800 retail stations revealed no compliance breaches.

Testing methods draw opposition scrutiny

Opposition figures in Karnataka questioned the state's testing methodologies and sample chain of custody. State BJP President B.Y. Vijayendra urged state authorities to conduct joint testing alongside central oil marketing companies using standardised laboratory procedures to verify the claims. Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka raised concerns over whether state testing facilities met required national standards, calling for clarity on where samples were obtained and how contamination was ruled out.

The state government stated that its full inspection report and next steps would be outlined officially by the state minister on Monday.