Goa, June 30 -- The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed that the status quo be maintained in the ongoing dispute over ethanol allocation for the Ethanol Supply Year (ESY) 2025-26, while hearing an appeal filed by Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) against a Karnataka High Court order.

A vacation bench comprising Justices M.M. Sundresh and Sheel Nagu issued notices to the Union government and 23 dedicated ethanol manufacturers that had earlier secured relief from the Karnataka High Court. The matter will now be taken up after the court reopens.

The Karnataka High Court had directed Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs), including BPCL, Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), to consider representa...