Bengaluru: Industries Minister M B Patil has blamed the Centre’s changing ethanol blending policies for the crisis facing manufacturers, alleging that oil companies are failing to procure 20-30% of the ethanol produced despite earlier encouragement to expand output.
Patil said the Centre had a responsibility to purchase ethanol after directing industries to increase production. He alleged that frequent policy changes involving E10, E20 and E30 blending targets had created uncertainty and left manufacturers with unsold stocks.
Backing Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s demand for an inquiry into alleged excessive ethanol blending in petrol, Patil said the state government would take appropriate action.
Rejecting Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy’s allegations regarding the Hassan Deputy Commissioner’s continuation in office, Patil termed the charges baseless and said a former chief minister should avoid making such statements.
Patil said Karnataka was ready to provide up to 500 acres in Mandya for a proposed vehicle testing and training centre, against the 100 acres offered earlier. He said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah would take a decision on the proposal.
He also urged Kumaraswamy to help bring four semiconductor companies to Karnataka and alleged that the Centre was diverting potential investors to other states through Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes. He dismissed reports of Honda exiting Karnataka.
