Ethanol blending in petrol: Karnataka CM DKS says his war is not against fuel station operators, pose questions to Centre

Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Wednesday questioned the Centre's accountability over the problems arising from ethanol blending in petrol. The Congress leader claimed that vehicles across the country were suffering reduced mileage and engine damage as a consequence of the move.

Clarifying that he was not targeting petrol pump operators, the Karnataka CM said the Centre should take responsibility for investigating the source and quality of the fuel being supplied.

A row erupted after the Karnataka government last week said that E20 petrol samples collected from across seven districts had ethanol content up to 31 per cent against the prescribed 20 per cent.

"Let the BJP protest against price rise; it's politics. But when petrol and diesel prices increased, ethanol was mixed in vehicles, with the blending going beyond 20 per cent to 30 per cent. Mileage has come down. Vehicles are getting damaged, Engines are suffering damage, and vehicles are stopping midway. Can't they (BJP) see this? Don't they know about it," news agency PTI quoted Shivakumar as saying during a media interaction.

"At the very least, shouldn't the central government have some responsibility to find out where it was procured, where it was mixed and where it came from," he reportedly said further.

Shivakumar said the state government had collected samples from 67 locations and brought the matter to the notice of the Centre and the concerned authorities.

"Our minister (Rizwan Arshad) has collected samples from 67 places and brought the issue to the notice of the central government and the concerned authorities. We have conducted tests and are examining the matter thoroughly," he said.

Claiming that the issue affected vehicle owners across the country, Shivakumar said it was not an isolated problem.

"This is not an issue concerning just one person. Your scooter may have been damaged, our car may have been damaged, and vehicles belonging to ordinary citizens may also have suffered damage. The lifespan of the vehicles has been reduced, resulting in losses for everyone. Who is responsible for such adulteration," he asked.

He said some representatives of the central government were denying the allegations of higher ethanol blending. They should first respond to the findings from the samples collected by the state.

"Let them first answer the questions regarding these samples. After that, we can discuss the other issues," he said.

Responding to a question on certain remarks allegedly made by BJP leaders, Shivakumar said people were free to express themselves as they wished.

Referring to alleged remarks made by Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy recently warning the Congress that BJP workers would "tear them to pieces and throw them into the Arabian Sea" if they created unrest in the country, he said, "So our boys (NSUI workers) sent him knives to help in cutting into pieces."

He also referenced certain alleged remarks made by state BJP president B Y Vijayendra against Congress leaders and workers, as he tried to take a dig at BJP leaders.

BJP leaders on Saturday lodged a complaint with the Bengaluru Police Commissioner alleging that NSUI workers had attempted to send knives, daggers and other lethal objects to the residence of Narayanaswamy through a quick-commerce platform.

On appointments to state-run boards and corporations, the CM said the government was preparing the first list of appointments.

"The process of appointments to boards and corporations is underway, and the list is being prepared. Today, I have signed the first list of 500 board of directors' appointments. After verification, we will release it," he said.

Asked whether legislators would also be accommodated during appointments to boards and corporations, he said senior MLAs would certainly be considered.

"Senior legislators have to be accommodated, and we are doing that," he said, adding that the list has now been prepared and signed and would comprise only appointees to the post of directors.