Mask Mafia: Makes A Killing In Nervous City

Exposed! Black-marketeers exploit Corona scare in Capital & sell protective gear at exorbitant prices as govt vows action

- Md. Hizbullah

As the demand for facial protection soured amidst the Coronavirus pandemic, so has its black-marketing!

An India Today TV investigation has found suppliers selling medical-grade N95 masks at a high premium across Delhi and the NCR.

Akul Mittal of Florance Industries in Delhi's Wazirpur industrial area gouged India Today TV's investigative reporter on prices when he visited his office, posing as a retailer.

The supplier offered the N95s around 250 percent more than the usual price. “It was priced at Rs 40-45 per piece before, Mittal said, quoting Rs 140 per piece for the new orders.

“Everything runs in accordance with market scenarios [sentiments]. The demand increased after the corona outbreak in India. Everyone wants the N95s. The entire market has increased the prices,” the supplier said.

Mittal demanded Rs 7 lakh for 5,000 N95 masks, but would take half the payment in cash — without the bill. The remainder [half] will be in cash, he said.

Vijendra at Ghaziabad's Advind Healthcare was also found price-gouging the N95s. Everything on this date is overpriced, he confessed. I got them [the N95s] for Rs 15 [a piece] initially. Imagine what's the situation now, he said and offered 2,000 pieces for Rs 2.40 lakh. That makes it eight times the original cost of Rs 15/piece.

OVERPRICED, UNDERBILLED