E20 petrol row: Shivakumar questions Centre over vehicle damage claims

Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar questioned the Centre over alleged excess ethanol blending in petrol, claiming vehicles were suffering damage and reduced mileage. He cited state-collected samples, criticised BJP leaders and announced progress on appointments to government boards and corporations

Mysuru: Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Wednesday questioned the Centre’s accountability over problems allegedly arising from ethanol blending in petrol, claiming that vehicles across the country were suffering from reduced mileage and engine damage.

Reacting to the BJP’s protest against the price rise in Bengaluru, he said the opposition party should also raise concerns over the alleged adverse impact of ethanol blending on vehicles.

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“Let the BJP protest against price rise; it’s politics. But when petrol and diesel prices increased, ethanol was mixed in fuel, with the blending going beyond 20 per cent to 30 per cent. Mileage has come down. Vehicles are getting damaged, engines are suffering damage, and vehicles are stopping midway. Can’t they (BJP) see this? Don’t they know about it?” Shivakumar asked while speaking to reporters.

Clarifying that he was not targeting petrol pump operators, the Chief Minister said the Centre should take responsibility for investigating the source and quality of the fuel being supplied.

“At the very least, shouldn’t the central government have some responsibility to find out where it was procured, where it was mixed and where it came from?” he asked.

A row erupted after the Karnataka government said last week that E20 petrol samples collected from seven districts had ethanol content of up to 31 per cent, against the prescribed 20 per cent.

Shivakumar said the state government had collected samples from 67 locations and brought the matter to the notice of the Centre and the concerned authorities.

“Our minister (Rizwan Arshad) has collected samples from 67 places and brought the issue to the notice of the central government and the concerned authorities. We have conducted tests and are examining the matter thoroughly,” he said.

Claiming that the issue affected vehicle owners across the country, Shivakumar said it was not an isolated problem.

“This is not an issue concerning just one person. Your scooter may have been damaged, our car may have been damaged, and vehicles belonging to ordinary citizens may also have suffered damage. The lifespan of vehicles has been reduced, resulting in losses for everyone. Who is responsible for such adulteration?” he asked.

He said some representatives of the central government were denying allegations of higher ethanol blending. They should first respond to the findings from the samples collected by the state, he added.

“Let them first answer the questions regarding these samples. After that, we can discuss the other issues,” he said.

Responding to a question about certain remarks allegedly made by BJP leaders, Shivakumar said people were free to express themselves as they wished.

Referring to alleged remarks made recently by Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, warning the Congress that BJP workers would “tear them to pieces and throw them into the Arabian Sea” if they created unrest in the country, he said, “So our boys (NSUI workers) sent him knives to help in cutting them into pieces.”

He also referred to certain alleged remarks made by state BJP president B Y Vijayendra against Congress leaders and workers as he took a dig at BJP leaders.

BJP leaders on Saturday lodged a complaint with the Bengaluru Police Commissioner, alleging that NSUI workers had attempted to send knives, daggers and other lethal objects to Narayanaswamy’s residence through a quick-commerce platform.

On appointments to state-run boards and corporations, the Chief Minister said the government was preparing the first list of appointments.

“The process of appointments to boards and corporations is underway, and the list is being prepared. Today, I have signed the first list of 500 board of directors’ appointments. After verification, we will release it,” he said.

Asked whether legislators would also be accommodated in appointments to boards and corporations, he said senior MLAs would certainly be considered.

“Senior legislators have to be accommodated, and we are doing that,” he said, adding that the list had been prepared and signed and would comprise only those appointed as directors.