Launch ‘massive offensive’ against hoarders: MHA

After the recovery of more than 100 oxygen concentrator from a restaurant in Delhi’s posh Khan Market, Home Ministry has one again reiterated to all States and Union Territories to launch a “massive offensive” against those indulging in hoarding and black marketing of essential items like oxygen cylinders and concentrator, essential medicine like Remdesivir and Covid vaccine.

Ministry sources said they suspect that shortage of essential items like oxygen, concentrators and cylinders was not because of lack of production of supply, but primarily on account of massive hoarding and black marketing. It is suspected that large cartels or groups were working across the county who were making a massive profit taking advantage of the unprecedented pandemic in the country.

Home ministry has also cautioned all States police to keep close a watch on suspicious government officials also like in customs, healthcare workers and even in police for their connivance in what is now being described as an “organised racket” across the country.

It is also suspected, sources added, that some of the equipment like concentrators, oximeters, digital and gun thermometers were coming illegally into the country with connivance of customs and excise officials along with some local police offers. Thus all State police has been asked to keep a close surveillance on such “suspicious elements” and take stringent possible action against them.

In another important initiative aimed at helping the common public suffering from the corona onslaught, the Home ministry has advised the state police to explore all possible legal remedies as to how the seized medical equipments can be quickly distributed among the different hospitals and nursing homes.