India, Nov. 6 -- Petrol sold in seven Karnataka districts contained ethanol concentrations as high as 31.2%, with eleven of 14 samples exceeding the 20% blend specified under the E20 standard, according to the state government.

The government said the highest concentration was recorded in a sample collected from an Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) outlet, containing 31.2% ethanol. A sample of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL)'s Power petrol had 30.5%, while another sample from the company recorded 27% and a BPCL Speed sample contained 26.5%, it added.

The samples were collected from fuel stations in Bengaluru, Kolar, Chikkaballapura, Bengaluru Rural, Ramanagara, Mangaluru and Tumakuru, covering IOCL, HPCL, BPCL, Nayara...