Centre should make people aware of ethanol-mixed petrol being sold: Sadhan Pande

KOLKATA: State Consumer Affairs minister Sadhan Pande on Monday demanded that the Centre should make people aware about the petrol, which is sold in majority of the states across the country, being mixed with 10 percent ethanol.

"Keeping consumers in the dark about ethanol being mixed with petrol at the pumps is an act of cheating. We feel that consumers should be made aware of this. I will write to the union Petroleum ministry and urge them to create awareness among consumers about the petrol that is being sold to them. Banners and hoardings should be put up at the petrol pumps," Pande said.

The minister held a meeting with three leading petroleum companies and senior officials of West Bengal Petroleum Dealers' Association (WBPDA) after he was informed by the Association regarding the same. According to the minister, ethanol being a hydroscopic product absorbs water and affects the mileage of the vehicle.

"I will also mention in the letter that the price should be reduced if petrol mixed with ethanol is sold. Ethanol is a product that is used for agriculture purposes and there is no tax on it. So, why should not the price of ethanol mixed petrol be lowered? I have been informed that the Centre has earned Rs 12,000 crore in the last fiscal through this practice," he said.

The minister further directed the petroleum companies to take necessary steps for calibration of all the oil tanks at various petrol pumps those which have become tilted with exhaustive use for many years.

Tushar Sen, president of WBPDA, said in rainy season, ethanol mixed petrol can cause damage to vehicles so the Centre should abstain from this practice at least during monsoons.