Rahul Gandhi questions Centre over alleged excess ethanol in petrol, seeks action against oil firms

08/11/2026

New Delhi, Nov 7: Leader of Opposition in LokSabha Rahul Gandhi on Saturday questioned the Centre over alleged excess ethanol content in petrol sold in Karn-ataka, demanding action against oil marketing companies if fuel supplied by them exceeds the prescribed 20 per cent blending limit.
In a post on X, Gandhi cited laboratory tests of 14 petrol samples collected by the Karnataka government from seven districts, claiming that 11 samples contained ethanol beyond the prescribed E20 limit.
He alleged that samples from Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation (HPCL) recorded ethanol content of 31.2 per cent and 30.5 per cent, respectively. He also referred to samples associated with BPCL, Nayara and Shell.
Raising concerns over consumer interests, Gandhi alleged that excessive ethanol blending could affect vehicle mileage, increase maintenance costs and cause damage to engines not designed to handle higher ethanol concentrations. He also questioned the absence of clear information at fuel stations about the actual ethanol content in petrol and sought clarification from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue.
"How much ethanol is truly in the petrol? When will action be taken against the companies that are adulterating fuel beyond the 20% limit?" Gandhi asked.
However, the three public sector oil marketing companies - IOCL, BPCL and HPCL - have rejected the reported findings, maintaining that the E20 petrol supplied by them across the country, including Karnataka, conforms to the Bureau of Indian Standards specification IS 17021.
In a joint statement issued on Friday, the companies said they had taken note of a communication from Karnataka's Department of Food, Civil Supplies, Consumer Affairs and Legal Metrology regarding claims that petrol at certain retail outlets contained between 26 and 31 per cent ethanol.
The oil companies questioned the sampling procedure and testing methodology adopted during the October 2026 exercise, stating that the Motor Spirit and High Speed Diesel (Regulation of Supply, Distribution and Prevention of Malpractices) Order, 2005, read with the Marketing Discipline Guidelines, 2024, prescribes a specific procedure for sample collection, retention and testing.
Under the prescribed procedure, six one-litre samples are required to be collected, distributed between the dealer, oil company and designated laboratory, with appropriate documentation and signatures.
The companies have sought complete sampling records, outlet-wise laboratory reports and details of the testing methodology from the Karnataka government. They have also requested access to counterpart samples for independent examination at an authorised laboratory in the presence of state government and oil company representatives.
Meanwhile, Karnataka Minister G Parameshwara also raised concerns over the alleged excess ethanol content, questioning the protection available to consumers and seeking an investigation into the matter.
He flagged concerns relating to vehicle safety, fuel efficiency and consumer rights and sought explanations from the Prime Minister and Union Road Transport and Highways Minister NitinGadkari.
The controversy has brought fuel quality standards, consumer protection and compliance with prescribed ethanol-blending norms into focus, with the oil companies maintaining that independent testing under the established procedure is necessary to resolve the allegations.

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