Makarand Gadgil / Mumbai July 22, 2008, 3:32 IST

There is a big buzz around ethanol blending with petrol as it is seen as providing relief for the consumers of this scarce commodity when international prices have seen unprecedented spike in the last few months.

But ethanol manufacturers are an unhappy lot as petroleum firms in the country are delaying commitment for ethanol purchase. They have now up the ante by seeking to open petrol pumps for ethanol-mixed petrol and direct sales to bulk consumers.