‘Will increase ethanol levels in petrol gradually’: Suresh Gopi

Thrissur: Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi has defended the Centre's ethanol-blending policy and indicated that the proportion mixed with petrol could be increased further, even as allegations of excessive blending in Karnataka have triggered concerns over fuel quality.

Gopi said the current 20 per cent ethanol blend had scientific backing and that any increase would be introduced gradually after assessing its technical feasibility. His remarks come amid a controversy over reports that petrol samples collected in Karnataka contained more ethanol than the permitted limit, with some allegedly exceeding 30 per cent.

The Karnataka government had reported excess ethanol in samples collected from seven districts, raising questions about the quality of E20 fuel and its possible impact on vehicles. State Civil Supplies Minister Rizwan Arshad had flagged the findings.

Public sector oil companies, however, have disputed Karnataka's findings, claiming that the sampling and testing procedures were not conducted in accordance with prescribed standards. They have maintained that their E20 petrol meets the required specifications.

Gopi said Karnataka and Kerala were free to conduct independent tests, suggesting there was no reason to be concerned about the checks.

Meanwhile, Kerala has ordered inspections at petrol pumps in four districts following the Karnataka controversy. Food and Civil Supplies Minister Anoop Jacob directed the Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Commissioner to collect samples from Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, Kozhikode and Kannur after discussions with Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan.

The state's decision to independently verify fuel quality comes as the Centre defends the blending programme and its proposed expansion.