NEW DELHI, NOV 7: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday questioned the actual ethanol content in petrol being sold across the country, alleging that tests conducted on samples collected by the Karnataka government had found ethanol levels exceeding the prescribed 20 per cent limit.
Gandhi demanded that the Centre disclose the actual composition of fuel supplied by oil marketing companies and take action against those allegedly blending ethanol beyond the permitted level.
In a post in Hindi on X, he said, “E20 turned into 420 – stealing petrol from the public’s cars!” The reference was to Section 420 of the erstwhile Indian Penal Code, which dealt with cheating.
Citing laboratory findings, Gandhi said the Karnataka government had collected petrol samples from seven districts and sent them to an accredited laboratory for testing.
“The Karnataka government collected petrol samples from 7 districts and had them tested at an accredited lab. Look at the results – 11 out of 14 samples contained more than 20 per cent ethanol; 31.2 per cent at IOCL, 30.5 per cent at HPCL; IOCL, HPCL, BPCL, Nayara, Shell – whether government-owned or private – all exceeded the limit,” he claimed.
He further alleged that the oil companies’ own laboratories had not disclosed the ethanol content detected in the samples.
Gandhi also raised concerns over the possible impact of higher-than-prescribed ethanol blending on vehicles, claiming it could affect engine performance, reduce mileage and increase maintenance costs.
Questioning the absence of clear disclosure at petrol stations, he sought mandatory information for consumers about the ethanol composition of the fuel they purchase.
“Modi ji, tell us – what’s being put in the country’s tank? How much ethanol is actually in the petrol? When will action be taken against companies mixing more than 20 per cent ethanol?” he asked.
The Congress leader’s remarks come amid the nationwide rollout of E20 petrol, which contains 20 per cent ethanol blended with petrol.
