Ethanol-blended petrol row: Shivakumar questions BJP’s silence

MYSURU Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Wednesday took a swipe at State BJP leaders for maintaining silence on concerns over discrepancies in the test results of ethanol-blended petrol. “Instead of raising this issue, which affects lakhs of petrol vehicle users in the State who are reportedly facing engine problems, reduced mileage and breakdowns, the State BJP is staging protests against price rise.

The State wants the Centre to respond to the test results,” he told reporters in Mysuru. Questioning the BJP leaders’ silence, Mr. Shivakumar asked whether the problems faced by people using ethanol-blended petrol were not visible to them.

Seeking a comprehensive examination of the laboratory test results of samples collected from 67 petrol distributors, the Chief Minister said the discrepancies in ethanol blending levels required an explanation from the Centre. “We have already informed the Centre about the test results. It is the Centre’s responsibility to provide an answer,” he said.