A Case of Oxygen Cylinders

A crackdown against hoarding and black-marketing of oxygen cylinders across Telangana has created some unintended hurdles for non-governmental organizations, especially in the old city of Hyderabad, who arranged oxygen cylinders at no cost to persons suspected or confirmed of COVID-19.

On July 10, Telangana chief secretary Somesh Kumar had ordered joint teams comprising officers from Drug Control Administration, Task Force of Hyderabad city police, Director of Public Health and Deputy Chief Controller of Explosives to inspect hospitals and dealers to assess whether sale and utilization of oxygen cylinders have conformed with the guidelines.

Telangana NGOs forced to stop supply of free oxygen cylinders amid crackdown against hoarding.

Social organisations say they have now stopped distribution of oxygen cylinders and this has led to several patients suffering.  Thirteen distributors, a manufacturer and an NGO, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, were warned against hoarding of oxygen cylinders while the Hyderabad police arrested a man for illegal possession of the medical devices.

Earlier, on news dated on JULY 05, 2020 in The Hindu, the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind’s city unit has started a free oxygen cylinder service, and later after crackdown it was an Oxygen Cylinder scam.

Masjid E Tawheed (AHLE HADEES) from Qutub Shahi, Hyderabad showcased as offering free O2 cylinders

July 16 2020 – Free oxygen cylinders with deposits in Bengaluru

Some NGOs like Naasih Educational Trust & Jamiat Ulama Karnataka, Mercy Mission, Al Hafeez Tours and Travels in Bengaluru started providing free Oxygen Cylinders for varying deposits ranging anywhere between Rs. 5000 to 10,000.