Supreme Court of India Dismisses Ethanol Labeling Petition

The Supreme Court of India dismissed a petition on Monday filed by advocate Narendra Kumar Goswami that sought mandatory and uniform labeling of ethanol percentages on all petrol pump dispensing nozzles and fuel invoices. Goswami argued that citizens have a right to know the composition of the fuel they purchase to avoid potential engine damage.

The plea requested that the Government of India establish a public, searchable database to indicate the compatibility of various ethanol blends with specific vehicle models, engines, and years of manufacture. Additionally, the petitioner sought the formation of an independent expert committee to study the real-world impact of E20 fuel on engine longevity, fuel efficiency, maintenance costs, and food security.

Attorney General R Venkataramani opposed the petition, characterizing it as a "proxy petition" and noting that the court had previously dismissed challenges to the ethanol-blending policy. A bench comprising Justices MM Sundresh and Prasanna B Varale questioned the petitioner's locus for approaching the apex court directly. The court ultimately rejected the plea but granted Goswami liberty to seek relief from the High Court or other competent authorities.