Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Nov 9: Karnataka minister Rizwan Arshad on Monday renewed his attack on the Centre over allegations of excessive ethanol blending in petrol sold across the state, claiming that the proportion had exceeded 30% at certain locations. Backing the allegations with laboratory test reports, the minister questioned why the Centre had failed to respond directly to the state government's findings, choosing instead to issue its response through oil companies.
Arshad also alleged that even the oil companies had no clear answer on the exact proportion of ethanol being blended into petrol, raising further questions over the monitoring and accountability of the blending process.
Oil companies respond instead of Centre, says minister
Addressing a press conference at Vikas Soudha in Bengaluru, Arshad said the state government had conducted tests to ascertain the ethanol content in petrol and had subsequently made the findings public.
He said the issue had now triggered a nationwide debate and warranted a serious response from the Centre. However, instead of directly addressing the state government's findings, the Centre had responded through oil companies, he alleged.
"We stand by our position. The report we have made public is correct," Arshad asserted, reiterating that the state government was confident of its findings.
The minister further claimed that the oil companies themselves had failed to provide a clear explanation of the precise ethanol content in the petrol being supplied.
Lab reports indicate over 20% ethanol blending
Arshad said laboratory test reports had established that petrol sampled from fuel stations in Karnataka contained more than 20% ethanol.
Making the laboratory reports public, the minister stepped up his criticism of both the Central government and oil companies, maintaining that the findings supported the State Government's concerns over excessive ethanol blending.
The minister's presentation of the test reports was aimed at reinforcing the State Government's position that the ethanol content in petrol required closer scrutiny.
‘Automated process’ explanation questioned
Reacting to the Centre's response, Arshad took issue with its explanation that ethanol blending was carried out through an automated process.
He alleged that describing the process as automated was an attempt to sidestep responsibility rather than address the concerns raised by the state government.
"Karnataka has six terminals, and there are problems at all these terminals," he said.
The minister further accused the Centre of maintaining that its own position was correct while rejecting the State Government's findings.
He questioned why the state government's laboratory results were being dismissed instead of being addressed through a transparent examination of the evidence.
Minister questions withdrawal of automobile industry's letter
Arshad also raised questions over a letter previously issued by an automobile industry association concerning fuel quality.
He recalled that the association had earlier written to the authorities flagging concerns over elevated levels of chloride and sulphur in fuel.
However, the letter was subsequently withdrawn, prompting the minister to question the circumstances surrounding the decision.
"If concerns had been raised about higher levels of chloride and sulphur in fuel, why was the letter subsequently withdrawn?" he asked, seeking an explanation for the reversal.
‘More than 30% ethanol blending’: Arshad points to six terminals
Reiterating his most serious allegation, the minister claimed that ethanol blending in petrol was exceeding 30%.
He pointed out that Karnataka had six terminals where the blending process was carried out and insisted that responsibility for any irregularities should rest with the agencies overseeing the process, rather than petrol dealers.
"Karnataka has six terminals, and blending takes place at all six locations. This is your problem, not the dealers' problem," he said, directing his criticism at the Centre and oil companies.
Arshad maintained that Karnataka was not responsible for the alleged excess blending and demanded accountability from the Central government.
He asserted that the state government's findings should not be brushed aside and that the concerns raised through the laboratory reports required a proper response.
Congress workers protest outside Bengaluru petrol bunk
Meanwhile, the Congress party intensified its protest against the alleged excessive ethanol blending in petrol.
Congress workers staged a demonstration outside a petrol bunk in Seshadripuram, Bengaluru, accusing the Centre of allowing excessive quantities of ethanol to be mixed with petrol.
The protest was led by Karnataka Pradesh Congress general secretary Manohar. Demonstrators raised slogans against the Central Government and expressed their anger over the alleged irregularities in fuel blending.
Police subsequently detained the protesters and took them into custody.
The controversy over ethanol blending has now become a major political flashpoint between the Karnataka government and the Centre, with the state government demanding answers over the laboratory findings and the exact proportion of ethanol being mixed into petrol.