Kerala has started fuel quality inspections in several districts following Karnataka’s report that petrol samples contained ethanol blending of up to 31.2 percent. Karnataka requested clarification from the central government after multiple locations revealed ethanol levels exceeding the mandated 20 percent limit. Public sector oil companies denied these claims, disputing that petrol contained excessive ethanol. The Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Suresh Gopi, affirmed that Karnataka and Kerala are free to conduct tests but urged not to politicise the issue, emphasising that the Centre’s 20 percent ethanol blending policy is supported by scientific research.