Railway Magic.....

I was trying to book a tatkal ticket to Ernakulam from Nizamuddin on 14th May 2012 for 12432 Trivandrum Rajdhani and 12617 Mangala Lksdp Express. There was 48 and 32 births available till 07:59:00 AM as per Railway time in IRCTC website, when it became 07:59:40 both trains became waiting list with 15 or above numbers. Is that means before the counter starts at 8 AM these tickets are issuing to the agents in bulk? or Railway know any magic? what is the commission they get from agents? I know ticket is available with agents for any date if you pay minimum of rupees 500 extra. Why railway is paying salary for these people? an average employ can earn more than a month salary in one week! Poor travelers waiting till 8 AM and get cheated.