New Delhi:- The Supreme Court has dismissed a petition seeking an order to display the quantity of ethanol on petrol pump nozzles. The court directed the petitioner to approach the concerned competent authority regarding the matter. The petition was dismissed today, August 31.
Let us understand the background of the issue, the Supreme Court's observations, the advantages and disadvantages of E20 fuel, and its impact on vehicle owners through a question-and-answer format...
Advocate Narendra Kumar Goswami had filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking a direction to the Central Government to make uniform labelling mandatory on each dispensing nozzle at petrol pumps across the country. The label was to clearly state the percentage of ethanol (i.e. E20) mixed in the petrol being sold.
Justice M.M. A bench of Justices Sundaresh and P.B. Varale dismissed the petition. In its order, the court said, “The petition is dismissed. The petitioner is at liberty to approach the competent authority.” The court also questioned why the petitioner had approached the Supreme Court directly instead of first approaching the High Court or the concerned department.
The bench asked: “Who are you? Where do you practice? Go to the High Court and file a petition there.”
The petitioner argued: “I have a right to know. Even when we buy a packet of biscuits, the ingredients are listed on it. When I buy petrol, there is no mention of E20. I am not challenging the government’s policy; I am only seeking information about the ethanol content.” Attorney General R. Venkataramani (for the Centre): Opposing the petition, he said that the Supreme Court has already dismissed petitions challenging the ethanol blending policy.