GUWAHATI: The Supreme Court on Monday, August 31, declined to entertain a PIL seeking mandatory disclosure of ethanol content in petrol at fuel stations and asked the petitioner to approach the concerned high court.
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A bench of Justices MM Sundresh and PB Varale said it was not inclined to consider the plea under Article 32, which permits direct access to the apex court for enforcement of fundamental rights.
Attorney General R Venkataramani, appearing for the Centre, opposed the petition, calling it “proxy litigation” and noting that the Supreme Court had previously dismissed a similar plea.
Appearing in person, petitioner Narendra Kumar Goswami argued that consumers have a right to know the composition of the fuel they purchase. The bench, however, directed him to raise his concerns before the jurisdictional high court.
The PIL sought mandatory and uniform labelling of ethanol content on petrol pump dispensing nozzles and fuel invoices. It also sought a public vehicle-compatibility database listing suitable ethanol blends based on vehicle manufacturer, model, engine type and year of manufacture.
Goswami further sought an independent expert committee involving officials from the Petroleum Ministry, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Bureau of Indian Standards and automobile experts to assess the real-world impact of E20 fuel.
The proposed assessment would cover fuel efficiency, engine life, maintenance expenses, warranty and insurance issues, as well as the environmental impact of ethanol blending, including emissions, water consumption and concerns over food security.