Over 85% of Fuel Nozzles Inspected in Karnataka Found to Deliver Less Fuel
Officials inspect 3,071 nozzles at 805 fuel stations; 101 stations found exceeding the permissible variation
Bengaluru: More than 85 percent of fuel dispensing nozzles inspected across Karnataka were found to be delivering less petrol or diesel than the specified quantity, according to the Food and Civil Supplies Department.
During an eight day inspection drive, officials checked 3,071 dispensing nozzles at 805 fuel stations across the state. Of these, 2,618 nozzles, or 85.24 percent, were found to be dispensing less fuel. As many as 768 of the 805 fuel stations inspected were found to require recalibration.
Karnataka currently has 5,946 petrol pumps.
Addressing a press conference, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Rizwan Arshad said the inspection figures included nozzles operating both within and beyond the permissible variation. Cases were registered against those found exceeding the permitted limit, while fines amounting to ₹6.6 lakh were imposed.
Under Union government regulations, fuel dispensing equipment is permitted a variation of up to 0.5 percent, either above or below the specified quantity. This is equivalent to 5 ml per litre.
Of the 768 fuel stations requiring recalibration, 101 were found to have discrepancies exceeding the permissible 0.5 percent limit. Three stations were also found to be dispensing fuel above the permissible margin.
Fuel stations where the shortage remains within the permitted limit are not liable for fines or criminal cases. However, the minister said such nozzles should still be recalibrated.
The Karnataka Legal Metrology Enforcement Rules, 2011 require fuel dispensing equipment to be recalibrated to correct discrepancies at the end of one year.
Amendment to Recalibration Rules
Arshad said the Union government amended the Legal Metrology General Rules through GSR 905(E) in December 2025, extending the recalibration period for petrol pump nozzles from one year to two years.
The minister questioned the basis for extending the interval, saying the recent inspection data indicated that consumers could potentially lose hundreds of crores of rupees annually if the two year interval continues.
According to data from the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Karnataka recorded fuel sales of 1,430.86 crore litres during 2024 to 2025, Arshad said.
He added that he would urge the Union government to withdraw the amendment, citing consumer interests.
The Food and Civil Supplies Department will continue inspections at the remaining fuel stations and aims to complete the verification process by December 2026.
The department also plans to launch an online dashboard containing verification and stamping details of all 5,946 fuel stations in Karnataka.
In addition, the department is planning to launch Mission Nikhara, Measurement Guarantee, a statewide awareness campaign aimed at protecting consumers from violations related to measurement.