JDU Demands Fuel Quality Audit at Petrol Pumps, Submits Memorandum to DC

Jamshedpur: A delegation of the Janata Dal (United) met the Deputy Commissioner (DC) on Monday to submit a memorandum demanding an impartial investigation into mounting public complaints regarding excessive ethanol blending in petrol across various fuel stations in the district, alongside strict legal action against non-compliant vendors.

Key Grievances & Demands

• The Issue: Widespread complaints that petrol pumps are violating the government-mandated E-20 standard (20% ethanol, 80% petrol) by mixing excess ethanol.
• The Impact: Consumers report reduced vehicle mileage, compromised engine performance, and unexpected financial losses.
• The Demand: Random sampling of fuel, testing at certified laboratories, and public disclosure of the results to restore consumer trust.

Over-Blending Harming Vehicle Engines, Alleges JDU

The submitted memorandum highlights an influx of complaints from local motorists and consumers across East Singhbhum. They allege that several local fuel outlets are completely ignoring the central government’s E-20 standard guidelines.

According to consumers, fuel stations are supplying petrol mixed with ethanol way beyond the legally permitted 20% limit. This excessive blending has severely lowered vehicle efficiency, caused internal engine deterioration, and forced vehicle owners to bear unfair financial burdens. The prevailing issue has triggered severe anxiety and confusion among the general public regarding the overall purity of fuel sold in Jamshedpur.

Calls for Scientific Testing and Surprise Audits

The JDU delegation, led by East Singhbhum district general secretary Kulwinder Singh Pannu, stated that while it does not believe in declaring any petrol pump guilty without solid proof, a scientific and impartial probe by the district administration is necessary, given the volume of complaints.

“Citizens pay for fuel out of their hard-earned money. Any manipulation in fuel quality directly hurts lakhs of motorists, transport businesses, traders, and everyday consumers. Protecting consumer rights is the ultimate responsibility of the district administration,” JDU leaders asserted.

The Action Plan Proposed by the Party:

1. Certified Lab Tests: Collect random fuel samples from all active petrol pumps in the district and run tests at government-approved laboratories.
2. Transparency: Make the laboratory chemical test reports public to reinforce consumer confidence.
3. Surprise Inspections: Launch unexpected periodic checks by district food and civil supplies officers to ensure regular adherence to quality metrics.
4. Public Information: Mandate every petrol pump to prominently display fuel quality data and set up a visible grievance redressal mechanism on-site.

The party warned that if the administration fails to safeguard consumer interests on this public health and economic issue, the Janata Dal (United) will be forced to launch a large-scale public agitation across the district.