A joint market monitoring team led by the Supplies Ministry on Friday sealed a refilling plant of Surya Gas Udhyog in Nala, Bhaktapur for selling cooking gas in expired cylinders.

There are a large number of expired gas cylinders circulating in the domestic market which pose a risk to consumers’ life, the ministry said.

Among the 164 gas cylinders examined by the team, 22 belonging to Surya Gas were found to have crossed their expiration dates. Many others weighed less than the weight specified by the government.

Shreeram Bhatta, monitoring officer at the Supplies Ministry, said they sealed Surya Gas Udhyog for violating government safety regulations. According to him, many gas cylinders they checked at the refilling plant weighed up to 450 gm less that the stated weight. As per government standards, cylinders weighing 14.2 kg are safe for use. “Cylinders with a significant low weight means that they can explode at any time,” Bhatta said.

According to the ministry, a gas cylinder has a normal lifespan of 15 years. Bottlers are required to carry out the first hydraulic testing 10 years from the date of manufacture. “If the cylinder passes the hydraulic test, it can be used for another five years,” he said.

The expiry date of gas cylinders are stamped near the neck or foot ring. The lifespan of gas cylinders is denoted by a number and the letters A, B, C and D. For example, the symbol 17 A on a gas cylinder means that its safe lifespan lasts up to March 2017.

Bhatta said they took action against Surya Gas for selling substandard cylinders. “Many cylinders that the company has been refilling were of the 16 series which clearly indicates that they have crossed their expiry dates,” he said.

The Supplies Ministry intensified market inspection following growing complaints about malpractices.

In the past few days, the ministry has sealed Guheswori Petrol Pump operated by the Armed Police Force and Bagmati Oil Supplier in Thimi, Bhaktapur for cheating consumers by giving them short measure.

Likewise, the market inspection carried out by the ministry has uncovered misconduct in the pharmaceutical and food sectors. On Friday, the ministry team sealed Kushal Drugs Distributor in Bhimsengola for employing untrained pharmacists.

In the last three days, the ministry team has inspected more than 15 drug stores and private clinics. Govinda Luitel, monitoring officer at the ministry, said many of them had been operating illegally without renewing their permits. Some had not been issuing sales invoices to their customers.

Likewise, the team took action against a number of groceries for selling substandard food products. The team has asked Bishranti Sweets of Maitidevi to provide an explanation within three days. Bishranti has been booked for failing to renew its licence and selling unhygienic food.