Karnataka stands by findings of excess ethanol in petrol

Karnataka minister Rizwan Arshad said the state stands by its findings that petrol samples contained ethanol above the prescribed 20% blend, including one reported result of 31.2%, and criticised oil marketing companies for disputing the testing. The results and account of the testing process were presented by Arshad; the laboratory reports were not independently examined in the reporting on his statements.

The state released findings from 63 samples collected at petrol stations across Karnataka. Arshad said samples linked to Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited showed ethanol levels of 31.2%, 24.2% and 30.5%, respectively. He said the samples were first sent to the companies’ own laboratories, whose reports did not state specific ethanol percentages.

Arshad said the samples were subsequently tested at laboratories accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories and certified to ISO standards. He maintained that the state followed the required sampling process, including joint labelling and signatures by authorised officers and representatives. He referred to the...