The three public sector oil marketing companies maintained that automated refinery blending guarantees that E20 petrol strictly meets Bureau of Indian Standards specifications. They challenged Karnataka's October 2026 tests, noting the state took samples without company presence and utilized unauthorized laboratories that yielded conflicting density figures. Furthermore, the companies highlighted that Quality Coordination Cell monitoring across 27 states confirmed compliance, with all 56 Karnataka samples testing between 19% and 20% ethanol. The firms have called for full documentation from state officials and offered to participate in a joint, compliant testing exercise.
Key points
Energy suppliers strongly disputed the procedural legitimacy of fuel testing carried out…: Energy suppliers strongly disputed the procedural legitimacy of fuel testing carried out by Karnataka authorities under governing industry guidelines.
Automated blending protocols at depots and refineries prevent arbitrary fuel over-blendin…: Automated blending protocols at depots and refineries prevent arbitrary fuel over-blending before retail delivery occurs.
The oil marketing companies are seeking full official documentation while offering to car…: The oil marketing companies are seeking full official documentation while offering to carry out joint testing alongside state regulators.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
In a joint statement, the three public sector oil marketing companies (OMCs) said the E20 petrol supplied across the country, including Karnataka, conforms to Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) specifications and undergoes strict quality checks.
The clarification comes after Karnataka's Department of Food, Civil Supplies, Consumer Affairs and Legal Metrology claimed that samples collected from petrol pumps showed ethanol levels significantly higher than the mandated 20% blend. The state government had also cited potential losses to consumers through lower fuel efficiency and higher vehicle maintenance costs.
The OMCs questioned both the sampling process and the testing methodology used in the state's October 2026 exercise. Under the Motor Spirit and High Speed Diesel (Regulation of Supply, Distribution and Prevention of Malpractices) Order, 2005, and the Marketing Discipline Guidelines (MDG) 2024, fuel samples must be drawn, retained, tested and documented through a prescribed process involving oil companies, dealers and authorised laboratories.
According to the companies, the October samples were collected without the participation of OMC representatives and the firms were not provided retention samples, outlet-wise laboratory reports or complete technical documentation. They…
Fuel retailers are pushing back against allegations from state officials regarding excessive additive concentrations in local fuel supplies. Industry representatives insist that the protocols used to gather and test the fuel were fundamentally flawed. The dispute threatens to escalate tensions between state authorities and distributors as fuel blending policies face heightened public scrutiny.
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