Overview
- Karnataka officials collected 63 petrol samples from seven districts and from outlets run by IOCL, HPCL, BPCL, Shell, Nayara and MRPL and then sent them for independent testing.
- The tests, done at the NABL/ISO‑accredited Shriram Research Institute using gas chromatography, found 11 of 14 cited samples above the 20% E20 limit with a top reading of 31.2% ethanol.
- The state says it first sent samples to in‑house labs at IOCL and BPCL that did not report ethanol percentages and that omission prompted the independent checks.
- Karnataka has forwarded the lab reports to the Union government, demanded penalties for over‑blending, called for a time‑bound consumer compensation fund and wants petrol pumps to display ethanol percentages.
- The government warned higher blends can reduce mileage and harm fuel systems in vehicles not certified for above‑E20 use, but cautioned the current tests do not prove how widespread over‑blending is across the state.