Porvorim: Chief minster Pramod Sawant told the Goa legislative assembly in a written reply on Monday that consumers across Goa are being supplied E20 petrol at 90 fuel stations, with a large number of retail outlets dispensing the ethanol-blended fuel. Sawant’s response was to the question tabled by Aldona MLA Carlos Ferreira on the issue of E20 petrol.The stations are operated by Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL).Sawant also stated that petrol pump dealers are not specifically required by the state to display prominent notices stating that E20 may not be suitable for vehicles not designed or certified for the fuel. However, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) has issued instructions to its retail outlet dealers to display E20 fuel-awareness signage in accordance with applicable guidelines.Consumer awareness about vehicle compatibility with E20 is also being undertaken through public-information campaigns by the govt and oil marketing companies, the reply stated.The response also highlighted inspection activity at petrol pumps. Over the last three years, the three oil marketing companies conducted 333 inspections at HPCL, 530 inspections at BPCL and 346 inspections at IOCL. Sawant said no violations were detected during these inspections.Two outlets offer ethanol-free XP100. While E20 is widely available, the minister said consumers looking for ethanol-free petrol have two options. Two IOCL outlets are Heera Petroleum, Panaji, and COCO Verna, that sell branded XP100 petrol, which does not contain ethanol.Separately, the department of civil supplies and consumer affairs conducted 31 inspections during the same period, with no violations observed.
