Karnataka Government and Oil Companies Clash Over E20 Petrol Samples

In Karnataka, a dispute has emerged between the state government and oil companies over E20 petrol. The Karnataka government claims that petrol samples from different oil companies in the state have been tested for more than the prescribed 20% ethanol content. Oil companies have questioned the government's sampling and testing process. Meanwhile, a Karnataka government minister has shared a video of Union minister HD Kumaraswamy, in which he is seen saying that he plans to increase ethanol blending from 20% to 30%. According to the Karnataka government, 63 petrol samples from major oil companies, including Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited, and Shell, were taken. These samples were first sent to the oil companies'labs and they were asked for the amount of ethanol in each sample. The government says that after not getting a clear answer, the samples were sent to a private lab for independent testing. Samples from seven districts were tested at the Sriram Research Institute in Bengaluru.