‘Pay ₹21,000, take 4 commercial cylinders’:Gas agency operator tells staff not to sell below ₹4,000

Yesterday’s matter ended yesterday, if you want a cylinder today it will cost 4,000. If you take it tomorrow, it will become 5,000. Saying this, Navdeep Singh Bagga picks up a calculator and adds up the amount. “If you need four cylinders, it will cost ₹16,000 at ₹4,000 each. You only have two empty Bharat Gas cylinders, so you’ll have to deposit another ₹5,000 at ₹2,500 each. Deposit a total of ₹21,000 and you’ll get the cylinders.” Navdeep Singh Bagga runs a Bharat Gas agency in Barkheda Pathani, Bhopal, and is currently heavily involved in the black marketing of commercial cylinders. The government has enforced the Essential Commodities Act to curb black marketing, but it appears to have had little impact on such activities. A private gas agency operator, employees and brokers are also involved in this network. Those illegally refilling gas cylinders are also taking advantage of the situation. In fact, due to the Iran–Israel war, the supply of commercial gas has officially been shut for the past two days. However, gas agency operators have now turned this compulsion into an opportunity to make money. Bhaskar’s team captured different gas agency operators dealing in commercial gas cylinders on their hidden camera. Everyone said in unison, ‘This is a chance to earn money.’ Read the report… Here’s How Bhaskar Team Did The Investigation Bhaskar reporter first contacted Mayur Gupta, an employee of Vineet Gas Agency. When Mayur Gupta was asked about the commercial cylinder rate on Tuesday night, March 10, he said he would deliver it for Rs 3,000 per cylinder. He also asked to come to Awadhpuri Ground the next day, March 11. When the Bhaskar reporter spoke to him at 9 AM, he asked to come at 12 noon, but also said that now the cylinder would cost Rs 3,300. You would need to bring an empty cylinder. Bhaskar’s team reached Vineet Gas Agency’s warehouse at Awadhpuri Ground. Two agency vehicles were parked here and employees were supplying cylinders. When we spoke to the employees, they said that until recently the cylinder rate was Rs 3600, now the owners have said they won’t give it for less than Rs 4000. After hearing from the employees, the Bhaskar team decided to meet with the agency operators directly. Bhaskar team made a deal for 4 cylinders After talking to the employees, the Bhaskar team reached Vineet Gas Agency’s office in Vijay Market, where agency operator PS Bagga and his son Navdeep Singh Bagga were sitting. The Bhaskar team made a deal for four cylinders with them. Reporter: Yesterday we spoke to your employee Mayur Gupta, and he said cylinders would be 3000. When we talked in the morning, he quoted 3300 rupees. When we arrived with the cylinder, the staff there are saying they won’t give it for less than 4000 rupees… What is the actual rate? PS Bagga (Father): When did you go?
Reporter: Just coming from there, they gave it for 3600 a little while ago, now they’re saying the owner has told them to give it for 4 thousand.
PS Bagga: I’m just coming from there, I’m the one who told them not to give it for less than 4000 rupees. Reporter: Oh, you’re the one who refused, but we had already discussed this yesterday.
PS Bagga: Yesterday’s dead are buried yesterday. I just went to the warehouse and told them not to give it for less than 4000. Reporter: But let’s discuss something…
Navdeep Singh Bagga: These are the rates, which cylinders do you have? Reporter: We have Indian ones, but only two.
PS Bagga: Then deposit Rs. 2500-2500 for empty cylinders. Reporter: 4 thousand each for 4 cylinders and…
Navdeep Singh Bagga: (calculating on calculator) Please deposit Rs. 21 thousand. After dealing with Vineet Gas Agency, Bhaskar’s team reached Saksham Dwivedi, who is a supplier of private gas agency, Gas Point. When we talked to Saksham on March 10, he quoted the cylinder price at Rs 3200 and asked to contact the next day, March 11. When the reporter contacted, Saksham said there were no cylinders available. When the reporter said we are ready to pay Rs 3300, Dwivedi asked to come to ISBT. After reaching here, the deal was made with Dwivedi regarding the gas cylinder… Reporter: We had talked to you about gas cylinder?
Saksham: I don’t have cylinders right now, do you have a shop, what is it? Reporter: We had talked, we have a wedding, the halwai is waiting.
Saksham: Brother, should I give it to my regular customer or to you… Reporter: Shopkeepers are getting it for 1900, while you’re selling to others for 3200.
Saksham: What are you saying, no one will give it for 1900… I just gave it to this shopkeeper, look at this bill – charged 6700 rupees for two cylinders. Reporter: Isn’t there a ban on the supply of these cylinders…
Saksham: We are a private company, supply comes from Indore, why would our supply stop? Right now you must be seeing our cylinders everywhere, this is our time to earn. Besides gas agencies, brokers have also become active. Bhaskar’s team learned about one such Arpit Sahu. Sahu is active in areas from Piplani to Jinsi. Sahu claimed that all gas agencies in this entire area are in contact with him and he can arrange cylinders from anywhere…. Reporter: I was waiting for you for a long time.
Arpit Sahu: It’s a Bharat Gas cylinder. Reporter: There’s an empty Bharat Gas cylinder in the car.
Arpit Sahu: Wait for five minutes, I’ll bring it. Reporter: How much will you charge?
Arpit Sahu: It won’t be less than Rs 3500, I’m selling it for Rs 4000. Reporter: Reduce it a bit.
Arpit Sahu: I’m standing on my livelihood, can’t reduce it. Reporter: Okay.
Arpit Sahu: When you mentioned wedding, I arranged it. Reporter: Where is your vehicle parked… Will you bring it from someone else?
Arpit Sahu: No, I don’t have my vehicle parked, if you need it, I’ll arrange it. Reporter: If you’re bringing from others, give rate to rate, you can take 200 rupees from me.
Arpit Sahu: Agencies don’t have cylinders, we’re not giving cylinders to strangers, I said yes because you mentioned wedding… Reporter: If I take one today, will you arrange more tomorrow?
Arpit Sahu: Earlier I used to work only in gas business, I’m in contact with dealers across the city. Just call me, if it’s available I’ll arrange it. Reporter: Let’s go together then, where you will show me.
Arpit Sahu: I won’t give the cylinder in front of you. Reporter: Okay, I will stand far away.
Arpit Sahu: You are still standing far away, stay right here and I will bring it in 10 minutes. Government implements Essential Commodities Act to prevent black marketing
Meanwhile, the central government has implemented the ‘Essential Commodities Act 1955’ across the country to prevent hoarding of essential items including gas. Now gas will be divided into 4 categories….