Bengaluru, 8 Nov

Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy and Union MoS Suresh Gopi separately said that the Centre was planning to increase the ethanol content in petrol beyond the current 20 per cent limit that vehicles are designed to run on.

The startling statements comes after State Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Rizwan Arshad claimed that several pumps were selling petrol which had ethanol content as high as 31.2 per cent, well over the permitted 20 per cent (E20) limit. Rizwan made the claim after over the Karnataka government conducted over 60 tests, while Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has described the developments as “petrol chori”.

“Over the last three to four months, I have seen the Central Government planning to raise Ethanol blending from 20 per cent to 30 per cent” Kumaraswamy said in a press conference in Bengaluru, according to a video shared by Rizwan.  The Union Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises Minister clarified that ethanol did not fall under his department.

However, Gopi, speaking to reporters in Thrisshur, confirmed that plans were underway to increase the ethanol content.

"We have approved 20 per cent. But the number will be increased gradually over time,” the Union Minster of Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas, said.  “These decisions are being taken after assessing the scientific feasibility. If people sit here and there and conduct mischief on technical issues for political purposes, then people will see who ends up digging their own grave.”

Notably, the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has refuted Karnataka’s claims that excess ethanol content was being blended into fuel, while state-run oil marketing companies (OMCs) have said a different methodology was used.