00:00Next big story is coming from Karnataka where ethanol blending has triggered a major controversy
00:05in across South India starting with Karnataka. The Karnataka government alleges that the E30
00:12level blending that is taking place is taking place even when the fuel that is being supplied
00:17to petrol pumps is meant to be E20. It claims that oil companies in the center are working
00:23together to exploit consumers. Remember Karnataka is an opposition ruled Congress government and
00:28even Kerala now has joined in the chorus ordering checks on E20 petrol. Oil companies in the
00:35center though are denying the numbers being flouted. Take a look at this report.
00:45Rising fuel costs are already burning a hole in motorist pockets. Now a fresh controversy
00:51over ethanol blending has raised further concerns. The Karnataka government has leveled serious
00:58allegations claiming that recent tests found higher than permitted ethanol content in petrol.
01:04Immediately the government should ensure that they go ahead and remove the ethanol mixing in the petrol
01:12and they claim that there is a huge loss for the people who are using the petrol across the country
01:19and they say that they will continue the protest until unless the government consider their demand
01:26and ensure that ethanol is not being mixed with the petrol.
01:32The Karnataka government claims that E20 blending levels improved after its exposure and assured that it would conduct periodic tests.
01:42We demand from the central government that there should be an independent testing mechanism established.
01:47Now they have been exposed and now for some time they will saturate the E20 blend to what they have
01:54declared.
01:55But we need to keep checking randomly.
01:59According to the state's findings, samples collected from 67 locations showed ethanol content exceeding the prescribed 20% limit in
02:09several instances,
02:10allegedly going up to even 30%.
02:14But public sector oil marketing companies has rejected all claims made by Karnataka government.
02:20The BJP has hit back at the Karnataka government, questioning its findings and claiming that the state does not have
02:27a laboratory to test fuel quality.
02:29He is not doing his proper work, showing central government.
02:36I asked the state government, you have any for petrol and diesel, for investigation, for anything you have any lab,
02:49there is no lab for you.
02:52There is no lab meant for petrol and diesel.
02:56Following Karnataka, the Keralam government has also ordered fuel quality checks in four districts.
03:03We are getting a lot of complaints about the vehicles getting damaged, the engines getting damaged and the mileage coming
03:08down.
03:08Many complaints and reports through the media are already there.
03:12Also the recent inspections in Karnataka was also a major concern to us.
03:17So we are ruling out all such concerns.
03:20We are trying for this inspection, we are trying to rule out that there are no discrepancies in the petrols
03:27that are sold in the state of Kerala.
03:30The controversy has now raised a larger question.
03:33Is the petrol you are buying actually E20 or a higher blend?
03:38Bureau Report, India Today.
03:39.
