Ethanol Blending Row: Karnataka Minister Slams OMCs, Claims 'Conflict of Interest' in Fuel Testing
Minister Rizwan Arshad rejects OMC rebuttals, claiming fuel tests show ethanol levels up to 31.2%, risking vehicle damage.
The controversy surrounding ethanol blending in petrol has escalated in Karnataka, with State Minister Rizwan Arshad rejecting the rebuttals issued by Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs). The Minister has accused the OMCs of dodging the primary question regarding the actual percentage of ethanol being blended into the fuel, while asserting that the state's findings reveal levels far exceeding the official limits.
The Core Dispute: E20 vs E31.2
Speaking to reporters, Minister Arshad claimed that the OMCs' joint statement focused heavily on technicalities to avoid answering a fundamental query: exactly how much ethanol is being blended? While the official target is E20 (20% ethanol), the Karnataka government maintains that its tests showed blending levels as high as 31.2 per cent.
"The Karnataka government firmly stands by the tests we conducted and the results we brought before the public. We strongly maintain that our test results show that you blended ethanol up to E31.2," Arshad stated.
Allegations of 'Self-Monitoring' and Conflict of Interest
The Minister detailed a sequence of events that led the state to seek external validation. According to Arshad, the government initially provided 63 samples to the OMCs' own laboratories—including IOCL, BPCL, and HPCL. However, he alleged that none of the resulting reports specified the ethanol percentage, despite established procedures (IS 17021:2018) for such testing.
Due to this lack of transparency, the state turned to a third-party laboratory that is ISO-certified and NABL-accredited. Arshad pointed out that the NABL accreditation agency is run by the Government of India, adding weight to the findings. He argued that when OMCs test their own fuel, they act as both the provider and the auditor, creating a clear conflict of interest.
Key Points of the State's Argument:
- Testing Methodology: The state claims to have used the same scientific methodology specified by the OMCs.
- Source of Failure: Since blending is an automated process at refineries and depots, the state argues that any excess ethanol is a failure at the source (the six terminals serving Karnataka), not at the petrol pump.
- Procedural Compliance: The government refuted claims that sampling ignored the Motor Spirit and High Speed Diesel Order, 2005, stating that all samples were drawn by empowered officers and jointly signed by dealers.
Concerns Over Vehicle Damage and 'Silencing'
The row has raised serious concerns regarding the longevity of consumer vehicles. Minister Arshad questioned whether the government is "experimenting on consumers," citing that luxury brands like BMW explicitly state their vehicles are not designed for E30 fuel.
In a press note issued by the Department of Food, Civil Supplies, Consumer Affairs and Legal Metrology, the state alleged a pattern of silencing those who question the E20 policy. The note claimed that the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) had written to the Union Petroleum Ministry on July 28, 2026, flagging issues with chloride and sulphur in E20 fuel and subsequent damage to vehicle parts, only to withdraw the letter a week later due to pressure from the Centre.
The state further highlighted that many major automakers warn in their manuals that using fuel other than E10 could void vehicle warranties. The government also pointed to a confusing situation where the Attorney General reportedly told the Supreme Court that E20 was still an "experiment," only for his office to later issue a clarification.
Demand for Third-Party Oversight
Minister Arshad has now demanded that the Central Government implement a mandatory third-party testing system to ensure transparency. He emphasized that the Government of Karnataka will not be intimidated into silence, stating, "Industry bodies and companies may step back under pressure, but the Government of Karnataka will not."