Thiruvananthapuram | Keralam Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Thursday said ensuring quality fuel to consumers was "non-negotiable" and interests of oil companies cannot take priority over the rights and welfare of the people.
As part of ensuring quality fuel to consumers in the state, the government has directed the Civil Supplies Department to intensify inspections at petrol pumps across Keralam to verify whether ethanol blending exceeds the permissible limits, the CM said in an X post.
Satheesan said the direction for inspections has been issued in response to growing consumer concerns and reports of serious irregularities detected during inspections in Karnataka.
"Protecting consumer rights and ensuring access to quality fuel are non-negotiable responsibilities of the government. The interests of oil companies cannot take precedence over the rights and welfare of the people," he said.
He said that as part of the first phase of inspections, fuel samples were collected from nine petrol pumps across Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, Kozhikode and Kannur districts on November 9.
"The samples have been collected in accordance with prescribed procedures and will undergo testing at accredited laboratories to determine ethanol content and compliance with fuel quality standards. Results are expected within ten days." "Inspections will be expanded to more petrol pumps across Keralam. Any violation of prescribed standards will invite stringent legal action against those responsible," the CM said.
Satheesan further said that Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has raised serious concerns regarding ethanol blending at the national level and has sought accountability from the union government.
"The Centre must clarify the actual percentage of ethanol being blended into petrol and the action being taken against companies violating permissible limits," the CM said.
He further said that consumers have every right to know what goes into the fuel they purchase, particularly when it affects vehicle performance, maintenance costs and their financial interests.
Satheesan assured that the Keralam government will pursue the matter with utmost seriousness, to ensure transparency, accountability and strict enforcement of fuel quality standards.