Karnataka Industries Minister blames Gadkari for ‘ethanol blending crisis’

M.B. Patil, Minister for Large and Medium Industries. File | Photo Credit: Allen Egenuse J. Karnataka Industries Minister M.B. Patil on Tuesday (November 10, 2026) accused Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari of being primarily responsible for the crisis that has arisen due to allowing of ethanol to be blended with petrol allegedly beyond the prescribed limits.Also read | Lab tests show ethanol blend in E20 petrol as high as 31% in KarnatakaSpeaking to media persons here, Mr. Patil demanded a comprehensive investigation into the matter.“They [the Centre] refuses to believe me when I speak the truth about ethanol blending. Let them ask sugar industry leaders such as Murugesh Nirani and Prabhakar Kore. Did we not send petrol samples to the Union government’s own laboratories for testing? Why should there be any doubt about the test results?” he wondered.Woes of factoriesThe Minister also said ethanol stocks at sugar factories have exceeded their storage capacity.“The problem is not confined to Karnataka; Maharashtra is facing the same situation. The position is relatively better only in Uttar Pradesh. The Union government encouraged excessive ethanol production but failed to ensure adequate procurement. The scheme should initially have been introduced on a pilot basis in four or five districts to assess its advantages and disadvantages. Instead, Mr. Gadkari introduced the ethanol-blending system abruptly, resulting in the present crisis,” Mr. Patil alleged. Published - November 10, 2026 06:01 pm IST