Food and Civil Supplies minister Anoop Jacob
Jacob said the samples had been sent to laboratories for testing and the results were awaited. He described the issue raised by Karnataka chief minister DK Shivakumar as a “major concern” across the country. Speaking to the media, the minister said, “We are collecting random samples from across the state to see if ethanol is within the prescribed limits or not.
The civil supplies commission has been authorised to do that. And now, from the northern districts and from the southern districts also, we are taking random samples. KOCHI: After Karnataka raised concerns over excess ethanol blending in petrol, Food and Civil Supplies minister Anoop Jacob on Monday said Keralam had begun collecting petrol samples from across the state to check whether the ethanol content was within the prescribed limits, according to news agency ANI.
At a press conference on November 6, Arshad said the Karnataka government had collected 63 samples from different locations across the state and from all major oil companies. However, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said all 893 samples of E20 petrol collected from public sector oil marketing companies across 27 states and Union Territories had met the prescribed quality standards, countering claims of excessive ethanol blending.
Jacob said consumers had the right to know how much ethanol was blended into petrol, as it could affect vehicles and reduce mileage. “The samples are being collected in all the prescribed formats. We are following and complying with all the protocols. And we have also requested that oil company representatives be present where we are collecting the samples. After that, we will be sending the samples to the government-owned chemical labs, and after the results come, we will take further steps if it is necessary,” the minister added. He also urged people to keep politics out of the issue, saying consumers should be informed about the quality of the fuel they use.