Petrol testing by third party: Government sets condition

Bengaluru: The dispute between the Centre and the Karnataka government over ethanol blending in petrol has intensified. The state government has made it clear that it will insist on third-party testing of the quality of petrol supplied in Karnataka from now on.

This is the first time a state government has imposed such a condition on oil marketing companies. The government has decided to convene a meeting with representatives of oil companies soon. It has also stated that it will approach the Centre if the companies refuse to accept the condition.

"Oil companies, which are themselves under scrutiny over ethanol blending in petrol, are also acting as the authority to deliver the verdict. This is unacceptable. The same companies that are questioning our testing methods will now have to comply with conditions imposed by us. We will insist that the quality of petrol supplied by them be tested by a third party. A meeting with the companies will be convened soon," Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Rizwan Arshad said at a press conference on Monday.

When asked what the government would do if the companies refused to accept the condition, he said, "If the companies are doing things properly and are transparent, they will agree to it. Otherwise, we will urge the Central Government to intervene."

The minister also said that other states were supporting the questions raised by Karnataka. Kerala has already decided to collect random petrol samples and have them tested by a third party. Several other states are also considering similar testing measures, he added.

Consumers should have a choice:

Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy has said that a decision on E30 petrol, which contains 30 per cent ethanol blending, was taken at the departmental level three to four months ago.

Questioning this claim, Rizwan Arshad asked the Central Government to clarify whether consumers were being subjected to such a move without their consent, similar to the demonetisation exercise.

Speaking to reporters, he said that if Kumaraswamy's statement was true, consumers should be given choices when it comes to ethanol-blended petrol. They should be allowed to decide whether they want E20, E10 or pure petrol, he said.

The minister also criticised Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka for claiming that Karnataka does not have laboratories to test ethanol blending in petrol. He said Ashoka's office should provide him with the correct information on the availability of such laboratories.

Hardeep Singh Puri has no time to respond, alleges Rizwan Arshad:

Rizwan Arshad criticised Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, alleging that he had time to extend birthday wishes to former Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani on his 100th birthday but had no time to respond to an issue affecting 100 crore people.

He said the issue was being widely discussed across the country, but the Union Petroleum Minister had remained silent and had not issued any response on the matter.