Published Nov 08, 2026 | 1:58 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 08, 2026 | 1:59 PM
DK Shivakumar.
Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Sunday, November 8, said a detailed investigation is being carried out into complaints lodged by thousands of vehicle owners alleging engine damage and the government’s findings regarding high ethanol content in petrol sold by major oil companies in the state.
Speaking to reporters, Shivakumar pointed out the government’s findings and said petrol sold at several outlets in the state contained ethanol in excess of the Union government-mandated E20 blend. The CM alleged that excessive blending was taking place at the retail distribution level.
“Our teams have been inspecting the (fuel dispensing) machines and vehicles. We have received complaints regarding fuel quality and consumption, including vehicles not being able to cover the required distance and engines stopping intermittently,” Shivakumar said.
“We have checked; the mixing is happening at the petrol bunks. Where it is being distributed, mixing is happening there; we have all the documents,” he said.
Shivakumar said the state government had informed the Centre about the issue and collected fuel samples from 67 locations for testing.
The CM said 30 per cent of the investigation has been completed and the findings, including evidence and test reports, will be presented to the public on November 9.
He stressed that the issue should not be viewed as political and had nothing to do with the state being ruled by an opposition party.
The CM’s statements came days after the Karnataka government’s Civil Supplies Department found ethanol levels as high as 31.2 per cent in fuel samples collected from different locations across the State.
Test results attached to a statement issued by the Department of Legal Metrology on November 6 showed ethanol content above 20 per cent in 11 of the 14 samples tested.
Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) recorded the highest concentration at 31.2 per cent, followed by Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) at 30.5 per cent. The remaining samples included concentrations of 27 per cent in HPCL petrol, 26.5 per cent in Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) petrol and 26.1 per cent in Nayara petrol.
The tests were conducted on petrol samples collected from seven districts: Bengaluru, Kolar, Chikkaballapura, Bengaluru Rural, Ramanagara, Mangaluru and Tumakuru, on the directions of Food, Civil Supplies, Consumer Affairs and Legal Metrology Minister Rizwan Arshad.
Meanwhile, the oil companies have rejected the findings, claiming the tests were not conducted using prescribed procedures.
(Edited by Fayisa CA)
