The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a petition seeking mandatory labelling/ disclosure of ethanol content in petrol sold across petrol pumps in the country..A bench of Justices MM Sundresh and PB Varale said the petitioner can approach the competent authority with his grievance."(Petition) dismissed. Open for petitioner to approach competent authority," the Court said in its its order..The plea filed by advocate Narendra Kumar Goswami sought directions to the Central government to ensure mandatory and uniform labelling on every dispensing nozzle at petrol pumps, disclosing the exact percentage of ethanol in petrol..The Court initially questioned the locus of the petitioner and why he had directly approached the Supreme Court instead of moving the High Court"Who are you? You are practising where? Go to HC and file it," the Bench asked. "I have right to be informed. I want to know. If I buy petrol there is no mention of e20," Goswami replied.Attorney General R Venkataramani, appearing for the Central government, opposed the plea. "Your lordships have already dismissed pleas challenging the policy," he said referring to earlier orders in which challenge to the policy itself was turned down by the top court.However, Goswami pointed out that he was not challenging the policy itself but was only seeking disclosure of Ethanol content in the petrol."I am not challenging the policy. I just want to know. I have the right to know. Even when we buy a packet of biscuits we know the ingredients. Last time AG said it is an experiment. After that they gave clarification," he submitted.However, the Court refused to entertain the plea..Supreme Court rejects PIL against 20 percent ethanol-blended petrol/ E20 fuel.E20 petrol is a blend of 20 percent ethanol and 80 percent petrol.The E20 programme is a key part of the Indian government's strategy to reduce crude oil imports, lower emissions and promote the use of domestically produced biofuels.However, the introduction of E20 fuel has sparked concerns that older vehicles not specifically designed for E20 may experience compatibility issues, fuel system corrosion and reduced fuel efficiency.Manufacturers have now increasingly introduced E20-compatible vehicles, but questions remain over the compatibility of vehicles sold prior to 2023.Recently, a district consumer disputes redressal commission at Chhattisgarh's Raipur ordered car manufacturer Maruti Suzuki to give a new Grand Vitara car with an E20-compatible engine to a man whose car broke down allegedly due to the use of E20 fuel.Automotive enthusiasts and experts have become increasingly vocal against Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari for thrusting E20 fuel without giving vehicle owners the option to opt for normal fuel which has less ethanol.
