E20 row: ‘Right to know’ exact percentage of ethanol in petrol? Supreme Court dismisses plea

The Supreme Court has dismissed a petition seeking a directive from the Centre and others to mandate uniform labelling of petrol pumps, revealing the precise ethanol percentage in fuel. The case was filed by the petitioner, Narendra Kumar Goswami, who argued for the right to know the composition of the petrol dispensed at fuel stations.

The Court held that it would not entertain the plea under Article 32 (right to directly approach the Supreme Court) and instead directed the petitioner to seek relief from the relevant high court. Attorney General R Venkataramani, representing the central government, opposed the plea, stating that the Supreme Court has previously dismissed similar challenges to the policy.

The E20 program, which blends 20% ethanol and 80% petrol, aims to reduce crude oil imports, lower emissions, and promote domestic biofuel production. However, it has raised concerns about compatibility issues with older vehicles, potential fuel efficiency reductions, and the impact on engine longevity, maintenance costs, warranty and insurance implications, and the environmental footprint associated with ethanol production.