New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a petition seeking mandatory and uniform disclosure of the exact percentage of ethanol blended in fuel dispensed at petrol pumps across India. A bench comprising Justices M.M. Sundresh and Prasanna B. Varale declined to entertain the plea, granting liberty to the petitioner to approach the competent authority or the appropriate High Court to raise the grievance.
The petition, filed by advocate Narendra Kumar Goswami, sought directives requiring the Union government and oil marketing companies to prominently display the precise percentage of ethanol on every dispensing nozzle and specify the blended composition on fuel receipts and invoices. The petitioner argued that consumers possess a fundamental right to know the contents of the fuel they purchase, drawing a comparison to packaging disclosures mandated on everyday commercial goods.
During the hearing, the bench questioned the petitioner’s locus standi and asked why the Supreme Court was approached directly without first seeking relief from a High Court. In response, Goswami submitted that the absence of ethanol-related information on fuel bills affects consumers nationwide who are purchasing E20 blended fuel without prior transparency.
Appearing for the central government, Attorney General R. Venkataramani opposed the petition, submitting that the top court had previously rejected challenges against the ethanol-blending policy and arguing that the plea attempted to reopen settled matters. While the petitioner clarified that he was not questioning the government’s policy of ethanol blending or energy self-reliance, but merely advocating for consumer transparency and vehicle compatibility disclosures, the bench maintained its stance and dismissed the petition.
