Chief Minister D K Shivakumar at a Congress event in Mandya. Image: Supplied.
Bengaluru: Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said on Sunday that petrol samples have been collected and tested at 67 places across Karnataka after complaints that more ethanol in petrol is hurting engine performance, and that the Centre “cannot shirk responsibility” on the issue. The minister concerned will hold a press conference on Monday to release the inspection report and announce further action, he said.
Shivakumar was responding to reporters’ questions near his residence in Sadashivanagar. He said the government had taken serious note of complaints about 31.5% ethanol being blended into petrol, had issued the necessary instructions to the minister concerned and had also informed the Central government.
According to Shivakumar, thousands of motorists have complained of reduced mileage, vehicles failing to cover the distances they should, and engines stalling while moving.
The chief minister said the inspections were not limited to petrol pumps but also covered the stages at which ethanol is blended and distributed, and that documents showing where and how blending is being done have been collected. The minister will release a detailed report, he said.
Shivakumar said vehicle performance, fuel quality and public safety are paramount, and that it is not right to raise the blending ratio simply to profit from ethanol being available at a lower cost. He said causing inconvenience to the public is not acceptable and that the government condemns what he called a hazardous situation.
He also asked why BJP and JD(S) leaders, and Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka, were silent on the issue, saying everyone must raise their voice on matters of public interest.
The remarks add to a dispute that has built up over the past two days. Karnataka’s Legal Metrology Department said on Friday that 11 of the 14 petrol samples in its test results contained more than 20% ethanol, with a high of 31.2% in an IOCL sample. Indian Oil Corporation then said all 56 E20 petrol samples tested across Karnataka by oil marketing companies met specifications, with an average of 19.30%. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi has defended 20% blending as within the accepted 19% to 21% range and called Congress opposition to it anti-farmer.
Shivakumar did not give the results of the 67 samples. They are expected at Monday’s press conference.
Speaking separately, he said he was visiting Goddess Hasanamba for blessings on the auspicious Sunday. He said the state is facing the hardship of drought and that, although there has been occasional rain, farmers have not got the expected relief, and he prayed for strength for everyone to overcome the difficulties.
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