Supreme Court Rejects Petition for Mandatory Disclosure of Ethanol Content in Petrol

The Supreme Court of India has dismissed a petition that sought the mandatory disclosure of ethanol content in petrol at fuel stations. The ruling was delivered by a bench comprising Justices M.M. Sundresh and P.B. Varale, who stated that the petitioner, Advocate Narendra Kumar Goswami, could approach the appropriate authorities regarding the issue.

The government’s Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) initiative, which requires all petrol sold in India to contain a 20% blend of ethanol derived from sugarcane and food grains, aims to reduce the country’s reliance on fossil fuels and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, this policy is designed to enhance the livelihoods of sugarcane farmers. However, many consumers have raised concerns that the new fuel mixture could potentially harm vehicle engines and adversely affect fuel efficiency.

Goswami’s petition argued that consumers have the right to be informed about the precise ethanol content in the petrol they purchase. He requested that petrol pumps display the ethanol percentage on each dispensing nozzle and that invoices provided to customers include this crucial information. He emphasized that consumers should be aware of the composition of the fuel, similar to how ingredients are listed on packaged food items.

In response, Attorney General R. Venkataramani pointed out that the Supreme Court had already dismissed similar petitions challenging the government’s ethanol blending policy. He clarified that the petitioner was not opposing the policy itself, but was advocating for transparency in fuel content disclosures.

This ruling comes amid ongoing discussions in India about the implications of the EBP program and its effects on both consumers and the environment. As the nation strives to transition to more sustainable energy sources, the balance between supporting farmers and protecting consumer interests remains a contentious issue. With growing awareness of environmental challenges, transparency in fuel content could play a significant role in shaping public perception and trust in government initiatives.

Source: scroll.in