Kerala, Karnataka petrol blending row: Suresh Gopi defends E20, says ethanol mix may rise gradually

Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi on Sunday said the Karnataka and Keralam governments were free to test petrol samples to check their ethanol content, while warning against politicising the issue. He maintained that the Centre's decision to introduce 20 per cent ethanol blending in petrol was backed by scientific studies.

His remarks come amid allegations by the Karnataka government that petrol supplied at some fuel stations in the State contained ethanol levels exceeding the prescribed 20 per cent limit. The Keralam government has also ordered inspections of petrol outlets in four districts following the allegations.

Responding to reporters, Gopi said both State governments could conduct independent tests but stressed that the Centre had scientific backing for its ethanol-blending policy.

"Let them conduct the tests, whether it is the Karnataka government or the Keralam government. We have scientific support for it," he said.

Suresh Gopi defends 20% ethanol blending

The Union Minister said the Centre had approved 20 per cent ethanol blending in petrol and that any further increase would be implemented gradually after examining its scientific feasibility.

"We have scientific backing for this. We have approved a 20 per cent blend, and it will be increased over time. The increase is being implemented after examining scientific feasibility," he said.

Gopi also cautioned against turning the issue into a political controversy.

"If people engage in unnecessary political mudslinging and create controversies here and there just for political purposes, we will have to see who will ultimately be affected and where the consequences will fall. That is all," he said.

Keralam orders petrol sample inspections in four districts

Meanwhile, Keralam Civil Supplies Minister Anoop Jacob has directed officials to inspect petrol outlets in Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, Kozhikode and Kannur districts.

According to a statement issued on Saturday, Jacob instructed the Commissioner of Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs to conduct the inspections after discussions with Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan.

The government said it had not so far detected any instance of excess ethanol blending in petrol in the State. However, it decided to carry out checks in view of the allegations reported in neighbouring Karnataka.

Officials will collect petrol samples from different locations in the four districts and send them for testing.

Jacob said a 2014 State notification issued under the Central Motor Spirit and High Speed Diesel (Regulation of Supply and Distribution and Prevention of Malpractices) Order, 2005, authorised officials to inspect fuel outlets and initiate legal action.

The powers extend from the Commissioner of Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs to Taluk Supply Officers. Strict action would be taken if any violation was detected, the minister said.

Karnataka alleges ethanol content exceeded prescribed limit

The inspections in Keralam follow allegations by the Karnataka government that major oil marketing companies were supplying petrol with ethanol content above the prescribed 20 per cent limit.

Karnataka has claimed that tests on samples collected from several locations detected ethanol levels as high as 31.2 per cent. The State government has sought action against the oil marketing companies.

Karnataka Food, Civil Supplies, Consumer Affairs and Legal Metrology Minister Rizwan Arshad had said the allegations were based on tests conducted on samples collected from Bengaluru, Kolar, Chikkaballapura, Bengaluru Rural, Ramanagara, Mangaluru and Tumakuru.

Oil companies reject Karnataka's allegations

Public sector oil marketing companies have rejected the allegation that petrol sold at certain outlets in Karnataka contained up to 31 per cent ethanol.

In a joint statement on Friday, Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) said they had taken note of the Karnataka government's claims that samples from some retail outlets contained between 26 and 31 per cent ethanol.

The companies said the reported findings were not supported by tests conducted in accordance with prescribed statutory and technical procedures.

They maintained that the E20 petrol supplied across the country, including Karnataka, complied with IS 17021, the Bureau of Indian Standards specification for ethanol-blended motor gasoline.

The oil companies also raised concerns over the sampling procedures and testing methodology used in the exercise conducted in October 2026.