New Delhi, July 29 -- Fuel stations are moving oil marketing companies (OMCs) to bear the cost of quality checks for ethanol-blended fuel, highlighting ongoing challenges in rolling out a fuel the government claims burns cleaner, saves forex, and helps farmers.

Retailers said that OMCs have prescribed regular E20 quality tests using a water-mixing method that renders the sample unfit for use. They have now reached out to OMCs and asked the petroleum ministry to notify a standard operating procedure, approve non-destructive testing equipment and reimburse dealers until such systems are put in place.

Prabhat Kumar Singh, president of the Bihar Petroleum Dealers Association (BPDA), said OMCs should provide dealers with scientifically valid...