BPCL’s effort to counter Karnataka E20 claims fails as test images call for scrutiny; OMC deletes X post | Today’s news

Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) faced criticism on social media after it deleted a post that purported to demonstrate compliance with India’s E20 petrol standard. Users took issue with the test image accompanying the post, claiming it showed an ethanol concentration of around 33% rather than the prescribed 20%.

The company shared the post on Sunday as part of a campaign against claims that petrol sold at some petrol stations contains ethanol above the prescribed limit. BPCL claimed its testing showed compliance with the E20 standard, the Millennium Post reported.

However, social media users questioned the interpretation of the test results, claiming that the measuring cup shown in the photo indicated a significantly higher concentration of ethanol. The post was subsequently deleted, although screenshots continued to circulate on Monday.

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Some users questioned why BPCL removed the post instead of clarifying the questionable reading. However, the claim that the image showed approximately 33% ethanol has not been independently verified.

The controversy comes amid a wider dispute between the Karnataka government and public sector oil marketing companies over the ethanol content of petrol sold in the state.

Karnataka reports excessive blending of ethanol in petrol

The Congress-led Karnataka government claimed that fuel samples taken from several districts contained ethanol concentrations above the prescribed limit.

Minister of State for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Rizwan Arshad said laboratory tests of 63 petrol samples collected from seven districts revealed excessive ethanol adulteration at several retail outlets. According to the state government’s findings, some samples contained ethanol concentrations exceeding 30%, with the highest reported reaching 31.2%.

The finding raised concerns about the potential consequences of higher concentrations of ethanol on vehicle performance, fuel efficiency and components, particularly in vehicles not designed to run on such blends.

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The Karnataka government has called for greater accountability from oil companies and urged the Center to look into the potential financial implications for motorists.

However, Indian Oil Corporation, BPCL and Hindustan Petroleum have denied the allegations, saying the state’s findings were not supported by tests conducted in accordance with prescribed technical procedures.

What the oil companies and the Center say about E20 gasoline

In a statement issued through the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas on November 7, oil marketing companies said that E20 petrol supplied across the country complies with Bureau of Indian Standards specification IS 17021.

The ministry cited results from 893 petrol samples collected from depots and retail outlets in 27 states and union territories. According to the statement, all samples were within the prescribed ethanol concentration range of 19% to 21%.

He added that 56 samples tested in Karnataka also met the required specifications. Their ethanol content varied between 19% and 20%, with an average of 19.30%.

Oil companies have questioned the sampling procedures and testing methodology used in the Karnataka probe. They argued that the available laboratory certificates did not provide sufficient technical detail to independently verify the reported results.

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The companies sought access to state sampling records, laboratory reports and testing methodology, while proposing joint testing at authorized laboratories.

The center claimed that ethanol blending was monitored through established quality control mechanisms and that any confirmed deviations would be dealt with according to applicable regulations.

The E20 gasoline line is gaining political traction; Kerala starts checks

The dispute has also taken on political significance with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi questioning the Centre’s ethanol blending program and raising concerns about its potential impact on vehicle owners.

Meanwhile, Kerala has started spot checks at petrol pumps in Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, Kozhikode and Kannur to check the ethanol content of the fuel. The state government has indicated that the exercise could be expanded depending on initial findings.

Samples are sent to government labs for testing, with results expected within 10 days. Authorities have warned that if violations are found, they could lead to action against the affected gasoline outlets, including closures and prosecution.

What is E20 gasoline and why is ethanol added to the fuel?

India’s ethanol blending program aims to reduce dependence on imported oil, boost domestic agricultural production and improve energy security.

Under the E20 initiative, gasoline is blended with 20% ethanol, an alcohol-based fuel that is produced from agricultural raw materials. The program is intended to reduce the country’s dependence on conventional fossil fuels.

While the center has defended the initiative, saying that E20 gasoline meets the prescribed quality standards, questions about adulteration levels and vehicle compatibility continue to draw public attention.

BPCL’s deleted social media post added another dimension to the debate. The central issue now is whether allegations of excessive ethanol blending can be proven through independently verifiable testing, and whether competing claims can be resolved through a transparent process.