Keralam government initiates ethanol testing at petrol pumps

The Congress-led government of Keralam has begun collecting petrol samples to test for ethanol content, following similar actions by Karnataka. Officials collected samples from nine petrol pumps across Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, Kozhikode, and Kannur. The testing aims to ensure compliance with the prescribed 20% ethanol blending limit. Keralam's civil supplies minister Anoop Jacob stated that trained officials used PESO-approved bottles for the sampling process. Further testing rounds will follow, and prosecution will be initiated if excess blending is detected. This move may lead to a confrontation between the Centre and the states over E20 fuel regulations. Union minister Suresh Gopi commented that states are free to conduct tests but should refrain from political disputes.