From Hindustan Times
Center Owned by HT MediaKarnataka govt stands by report of over 20% ethanol in petrol, questions oil firms' data on blending
What's behind this
The Kerala government, led by the Congress, is now following Karnataka on an ethanol test, according to the Times of India, and a Union minister said those creating controversies for political purposes will face consequences while also doubting Karnataka’s ethanol findings and calling the testing methodology deficient. The Kerala Excise department has banned issuance of new liquor licences until the government’s liquor policy is promulgated, a move that comes after the removal of Sreeram Samabasiva Rao from the Excise Commissioner post amid a political row over the department’s hasty reclassification of some bars and beer parlours and the almost instantaneous approval for private players.
AI-generated overview from 2 outlets. It summarises their reporting and adds no reporting of its own.
What each side is saying
One outlet's own words from each side of the spectrum. Quoted, not summarised.
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left · 3 outlets
The state-owned OMCs held the 56 samples tested by them from across the state reported an average 19.3% ethanol content in the vehicular fuel.
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center · 3 outlets
The Keralam civil supplies department conducted inspections of petrol pumps in Kochi to examine the ethanol mix in E20 petrol. Officials took six samples, forwarding two for lab tests in Kakinada. Rising concerns over high ethanol blending have been highlighted by Karnataka Minister Rizwan Arshad…
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right · 3 outlets
Union Minister of State Suresh Gopi emphasized the freedom of Karnataka and Keralam governments to conduct petrol tests. He also mentioned that the Centre has scientific backing for its ethanol blending policy. Gopi explained that a 20 percent ethanol blending in petrol has been approved and will be…
RSS excerpt
Karnataka minister Rizwan Arshad said state stands by its findings that petrol samples contained more than prescribed 20% ethanol, with some showing up to 31.2%
