Author: space4knews

The government demolished Manohara’s Shri Saraswati Primary School during the eviction of informal settlements along the riverbanks. Buddha Jyoti Udyan and Bal Kalyan Primary Schools, located in Balaju, have been relocated to Tarun and Yuvak Secondary Schools, respectively. Kathmandu Metropolitan City is preparing to merge these schools and considers the relocations temporary arrangements. (21 Baishakh, Kathmandu).

On Monday morning at 10 AM, students and teachers of Shri Saraswati Primary School gathered at the community hall in Madhyapur Thimi Municipality-1. Among the students, the question “Why was our school demolished?” circulated with no definitive answers. After the demolition, they assembled in the community hall to continue their studies. According to the government’s decision, enrollment started on Baishakh 15, and classes were to begin from Baishakh 21; however, no classrooms were available for study.

Monday morning found teachers busy organizing the space. Some were hanging tents, others arranging desks and benches, while students carried desks themselves. Many parents had come to enroll their children at the community hall. Parent Tikmaya Shrestha said, “We cannot afford private schools; since this school was nearby, we intended to send our children here. My children are in grades 6 and 7; it’s not feasible to send them far away.”

Headteacher Indira Mahat coordinated with the municipality to run two multi-shift classes. “The students’ education has not halted. Even with shifts, we are continuing classes,” she stated. “I am still in communication with the municipality and ward chairperson.” The school has 275 students, but currently, only 170 have enrolled. There are 15 teachers. After the demolition, teachers, parents, and students are struggling to maintain the learning environment.

“There was no prior notice before the demolition. We thought there would be no issue since it was a government building. We only learned the demolition would happen after the police removed the property,” the headteacher explained. Currently, textbooks are stored in the ward office near the community hall. Parent Meenkumari Magar had come to pick up her son, who studies in grade 3. She commented, “Since my workplace is close to the school, it is convenient to bring and take him.” The school building, constructed in 2005 BS, was demolished by government bulldozers, disrupting education.

Buddha Jyoti Udyan Primary School building in Balaju was also demolished with bulldozers. This school has been relocated to Tarun Secondary School. Originally there were 120 students, with 110 enrolled for the new session, but after demolition, students have dispersed. “We have started classes at Tarun Secondary. The Metropolitan Office has sent an official transfer letter,” said Headteacher Shantaram Shrestha. Bal Kalyan Primary School in Balaju, also demolished, has been transferred to Yuvak Secondary School, where 120 students studied. “All school materials are kept at Yuvak Secondary, and teachers and staff report there,” explained Headteacher Arjun Mudbhari.

Kathmandu Metropolitan City has announced plans to merge these schools. “We have arranged one school at Tarun and the other at Yuvak Secondary, and now we will proceed with the merging process,” said the metropolitan spokesperson, Naveen Mandhar.

Acting on the government’s recommendation, President Ram Chandra Paudel has promulgated Ordinance 2083, which introduces amendments to 17 various Nepal-related acts. The amended legislation includes the Employees Provident Fund Act, Land (Measurement) Act, Land-related Act, Education Act, Land Revenue Act, among others. Additionally, the Technical Education and Vocational Training Council Act, Health Services Act, Foreign Employment Act, National Medical Education Act, and Forest Act have also been modified.

Kathmandu, 21 Baisakh – The government has carried out a comprehensive revision of 17 laws through an ordinance that amends several Nepalese acts simultaneously. President Ram Chandra Paudel has issued the ordinance, which encompasses diverse amendments across these various statutes. The list of amended acts is as follows: 1. Employees Provident Fund Act, 2019 2. Land (Measurement) Act, 2019 3. Land-related Act, 2021 4. Education Act, 2028 5. Land Revenue Act, 2034 6. Technical Education and Vocational Training Council Act, 2045 7. Citizen Investment Fund Act, 2047 8. Nepal Academy of Science and Technology Act, 2048 9. Civil Service Act, 2049 10. University Grants Commission Act, 2050 11. Health Services Act, 2053 12. Foreign Employment Act, 2064 13. Federal Parliament Secretariat Act, 2064 14. Contribution-based Social Security Act, 2074 15. National Medical Education Act, 2075 16. Land Use Act, 2076 17. Forest Act, 2076.

Aaron Vikram Malla, who has been watching the Indian Premier League (IPL) since he was very young, is a fan of Mahendra Singh Dhoni. In Nepal, he considers Deependra Singh Airee his idol. Having already met Sandeep Lamichhane and Binod Bhandari, Aaron hopes to meet Deependra as well.

The 6-year-old cricketer is currently playing for Royal Cricket Academy ‘B’ in the ongoing U-14 Academy-level National Cricket Tournament in Nawalpur, where he has scored 4 runs in 3 matches. Aaron has been learning cricket at the Royal Cricket Academy since he was 4 years old and travels 16 kilometers daily to practice for 3 hours.

Aaron’s father, Vikal, initially wanted him to become a footballer, but Aaron chose cricket, and Vikal dreams of making his son a great cricketer. On April 21 in Kathmandu, a video of Aaron’s batting has been widely discussed on social media, earning praise for his impressive performance in the U-14 Academy-level national tournament held in Nawalpur.

The tournament features players from 20 academies across the country, and Aaron represents Royal Cricket Academy ‘B.’ While he didn’t score many runs in his three matches, he has shown the ability to hold his crease for prolonged periods. Against One Day Cricket Academy, he faced 17 balls and scored 2 runs. He also played 17 balls against Nepathya Tilottama Cricket Academy, scoring only 1 run before returning to the pavilion. In the third match against Cricket Excellence Center (CEC) in Bhaktapur, he scored 1 run off 28 balls but retired hurt due to a ball hitting his hand.

“He can’t score many runs yet and lacks power, but he plays confidently and is not afraid of pace bowling,” says Vikal Vikram, Aaron’s father. While other players struggled to stay at the crease, Aaron showed a defensive technique, effectively facing balls even from much older bowlers. According to Vikal, Aaron has already played 20-25 matches. Last January, he participated in the U-12 Boys Open Cricket Tournament organized by Rising Star Cricket Academy in Kathmandu. However, due to pitch and ground conditions, he could only play one match, where he scored an unbeaten 0 after facing two balls.

Initially, Vikal wanted Aaron to be a footballer and even brought him a football to encourage that. However, Aaron was drawn to cricket from an early age. “I asked him what he wanted to play, and when he said cricket, he began focusing on it,” recalls Vikal. Two years ago, they tried to enroll Aaron at the Royal Cricket Academy in Nawalpur, Devchuli Municipality-10, but his age was too young. After observing his potential, the academy later accepted him, and he has been learning cricket there for the past 4 years.

Since childhood, Aaron has been an avid IPL viewer and a big fan of Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Deependra Singh Airee is his cricketing idol in Nepal. Having already met cricketers like Sandeep Lamichhane and Binod Bhandari, Aaron hopes to meet Deependra soon. According to his father, Aaron’s batting and fielding style resemble Deependra’s. Vikal takes Aaron to the academy located 16 kilometers away every day, where Aaron trains for about three hours. Despite his young age, Aaron’s passion for cricket is immense. “He practices from morning till evening on holidays,” says Vikal, who dreams of seeing his son become a great cricketer.

Mumbai Indians secured a 6-wicket victory against Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2026. Mumbai successfully chased down the target of 229 runs in 18.4 overs, losing 4 wickets in the process. Openers Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton delivered an outstanding batting performance. Rohit Sharma scored 84 runs off 44 balls, while Rickelton contributed 83 runs off 32 balls. Together, they put on a crucial 143-run partnership for the first wicket. Naman Dhiran remained unbeaten with 23 runs.

For Lucknow, Manimaran Siddharth claimed 2 wickets, while Mohammad Shami and Mohsin Khan took 1 wicket each. Batting first after losing the toss, Lucknow scored 228 runs for the loss of 5 wickets in their 20 overs. They made 141 runs for 1 wicket in the initial 10 overs but struggled to maintain the pace in the latter half. Nicholas Pooran was the top scorer for Lucknow with 63 runs. He reached his half-century in just 16 balls, striking 1 four and 8 sixes over 21 balls. Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram added 44 and an unbeaten 31 runs respectively. For Mumbai, Kervin Bosch took 2 wickets, while Raghu Sharma and Will Jacks took 1 wicket each. With this win, Mumbai has moved up to ninth place with 6 points from 10 matches, while Lucknow remains in tenth place with 4 points from 9 matches.

Chandan Singh, General Secretary of Janamat Party, Kathmandu, April 21 – A majority of Janamat Party MPs have withdrawn their support for the Madhesh Province government led by Krishna Yadav of the Nepali Congress. Nine party MPs have submitted letters retracting their backing. According to General Secretary Chandan Singh, in consultation with the party’s national president Sike Raut, the majority of the parliamentary party members decided to withdraw their support from the Madhesh government.
“Since the formation of the government, the Chief Minister’s actions in Madhesh Province have been inappropriate; therefore, we have decided to retract our party’s support,” Singh said.
The Janamat Party holds the parliamentary party leadership in the Madhesh government, with Mahesh Yadav serving as Finance Minister and Basanta Kushwaha as Minister for Youth and Social Welfare. The party currently has 12 members in the Provincial Assembly, including Babita Kumari Raut, who serves as Deputy Speaker. The Madhesh Province government was formed by a coalition of all parties except the UML. This move by Janamat Party MPs indicates a potential new alliance emerging as an alternative to the Congress-led government.
The 107-member Provincial Assembly requires 54 members for a majority. Currently, the assembly is composed of 24 UML members, 22 Nepali Congress, 18 JSP Nepal, 12 Janamat, 9 CPN (Maoist Centre), 8 Loktantrik Samajwadi Party, 7 CPN Unified Socialist MPs, and one seat each for Rastriya Prajatantra Party Nepal, Nagrik Unmukti Party, and Nepal Federal Socialist Party.

April 21, Kathmandu – Within 24 hours of President Ramchandra Paudel sending the ordinance back with a message requesting reconsideration, the government has once again recommended the same ordinance to the President. Rejecting the President’s move to return the ordinance with a message, the government has resubmitted it. Now, the President appears to have no option but to issue the ordinance. The Constitution allows a bill passed by both houses of Parliament to be sent back once for reconsideration, but there is no clear provision for returning an ordinance recommended by the Council of Ministers for reconsideration.

The President returned the ordinance citing the need to uphold the spirit of the Constitution and the majority decision-making process within the Constitutional Council. Dr. Vijay Mishra, President of the Nepal Bar Association and a law professor, responded on Sunday stating that the government must respect the President’s message; however, once the ordinance is resubmitted, the President cannot block it. He said, ‘If the government resubmits the ordinance, the President cannot reject it—they must issue it.’ On Monday, the Cabinet meeting decided to once again recommend the Constitution Council (First Amendment) Ordinance 2083, government spokesperson Sashmit Pokharel confirmed.

According to Pokharel, the ordinance was sent back without any amendments. While seven of the eight ordinances recommended by the government were promulgated, President Paudel did not issue the ordinance concerning the Constitutional Council. Without addressing the President’s message, the government has resubmitted essentially the same ordinance, signaling a disregard for the President’s concerns. The President had previously returned ordinances as well.

Following that, the government had been less attentive to the ordinance; however, this time it acted promptly to demonstrate its position. What is the President’s concern? While the government has framed it as a matter of ‘ego,’ analysts argue that the President’s return of the ordinance was a defense of democratic values and power balance. According to officials at Sheetal Niwas, the President’s letter mainly questioned the principle of the requisite quorum and the multiparty system.

The ordinance proposes that meetings of the Constitutional Council would only be valid with 50 percent member attendance, including the Chairman (Prime Minister), and decisions would be based on a majority of that quorum. The President concluded that this provision would undermine the very foundation of the Constitutional Council. The letter reminded that the Supreme Court’s full bench had previously ruled that the multiparty system in the Constitutional Council must be preserved and recommended revising the ordinance to safeguard power balance. What is the Prime Minister’s interest?

Ignoring the President’s suggestion, the government’s reason for resubmitting the ordinance without amendments remains unclear—whether it reflects a policy stance or is a shortcut sought by Singha Durbar (the government complex). Even though the new election gave the Rastriya Swatantra Party nearly a two-thirds majority, it is understandable that the Prime Minister is concerned about the Constitutional Council’s structure potentially affecting its decision-making capacity. The Constitutional Council recommends key appointments from agencies like the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority, the Election Commission, and the Supreme Court. Under current law, appointments cannot proceed without the consent of the opposition leader or the Chief Justice.

Therefore, there are suspicions that this ordinance seeks to reshape the Council’s structure to favor the government and allow it to place preferred individuals in sensitive positions. However, the government and the Prime Minister’s Secretariat argue that this measure is essential to relieve the Council’s prolonged deadlock. They claim that important constitutional bodies have remained vacant for extended periods due to the absence of opposition leaders or the Speaker, adversely affecting state operations.

Defending its move as a necessity to break an impasse, the government argues that ‘the current arrangement is necessary because consensus or old quorum numbers hinder progress.’ These issues have now been sent back to Sheetal Niwas for further consideration. According to Article 113(4) of the Constitution, if the President returns a bill once, Parliament must certify it within 15 days if it is resubmitted unchanged. However, Article 114(1) treats ordinances with some ambiguity and difference.

The President does not enjoy such discretion. Legal experts say that although there is a tradition for the President to promulgate ordinances recommended by the Cabinet, there is no clear legal obligation to reissue ordinances that may violate the Constitution or conflict with Supreme Court rulings. If the President, as the guardian of the Constitution, chooses to withhold or reject the ordinance again at Sheetal Niwas, it would mark a pivotal turning point in politics. This could be interpreted as the beginning of a new cold war between the Executive and the Presidency.

Following the government’s strict enforcement of mandatory Maximum Retail Price (MRP) labeling on imported goods at customs points, cargo vehicles have come to a halt at major trade checkpoints. With the implementation of MRP, traders have stopped importing goods, raising concerns about shortages and price hikes of daily consumer products in the market. While consumer rights activists have labeled the traders’ opposition as “reckless,” the government insists on firmly upholding this regulation. Kathmandu, May 3.

The government’s decision to strictly implement compulsory MRP labeling on goods imported at customs has led to confusion and stagnation at key trade borders across the country. The Department of Commerce, Supply and Consumer Protection introduced this measure to prevent consumer fraud; however, due to practical challenges in enforcement, long queues of cargo vehicles have formed at customs points in Birgunj, Bhairahawa, Nepalgunj, Rasuwa, and Mechi. Traders are refusing to clear goods without MRP indicated at customs.

The slowdown in imports through major checkpoints such as Birgunj, Bhairahawa, and Rasuwagadhi could lead to shortages of daily consumer goods and potential inflation in the local markets. Nevertheless, customs authorities report that the supply of industrial raw materials and perishable items has not been completely disrupted. Traders have criticized the policy as “impractical” and unfeasible for implementation.

According to Uday Singh Bista, Information Officer at the Customs Office, approximately 1,400 to 1,500 vehicles are currently held up in customs areas. While around 1,200 trucks were detained as of May 1, the number of held cargo trucks is increasing by roughly 100 daily. Although correspondence has been made through the department to the ministry to resolve the issue, no positive developments or solutions have emerged so far.

Armed Police Force has rescued around 60 to 65 passengers trapped in a microbus stuck in the Roshi Khola area of Kavre district using ropes and a JCB excavator. The rising water level caused road erosion, resulting in the obstruction of the BP Highway. Considering the risk, police have halted more than 160 vehicles traveling towards Kathmandu. April 21, Kathmandu.

The evacuation was carried out on the BP Highway segment where the EV microbus had been stranded in Roshi Khola of Kavre. According to Armed Police Force Deputy Spokesperson and DSP Shailendra Thapa, about 60 to 65 passengers trapped in the EV HiAce vehicle were rescued with the help of ropes and a JCB. The affected area, spanning over 400 ropani, lies within Namobuddha Municipality-6 Chaukidanda and Roshi Rural Municipality-7, where the rising water level caused the road to be completely cut off.

DSP Thapa informed that teams from the 15th Battalion Kavre and the Monsoon Response Base in Bhakunde were immediately deployed for the rescue operation. To mitigate potential risks to vehicles operating on this section of the BP Highway, authorities have stopped 160 vehicles traveling from Lastol in Roshi Rural Municipality-7 toward Kathmandu.

April 21, Biratnagar – Just one month after the formation of the government led by Balendra Shah (Balen) elected from his own constituency, protests against the government have begun in Jhapa-5. On Monday, landless and squatters residing in Kamal Rural Municipality within Jhapa-5 staged a demonstration. Voters from Prime Minister Shah’s electoral area have taken to the streets demanding a halt to the use of bulldozers in squatter settlements, a move that has also affected similar communities in Kathmandu and other parts of the country. The protest was organized under the leadership of the Land Rights and Workers’ Organization. The demonstration culminated in presenting a memorandum at the rural municipality office. Protesters vocally opposed the government’s use of bulldozers to demolish homes in squatter settlements, displacing impoverished families. They demanded recognition of their right to housing and insisted that no settlements should be removed without alternative arrangements. Earlier, similar protests by squatters have taken place in Dharan, Pathari, and other areas.

Following the protests nationwide by squatters opposing government preparations, Prime Minister Balen, on the same day, defended his administration by affirming that permanent measures have been initiated to ensure housing rights and resolve the issues related to the clearing of these settlements. Through a post on Facebook, he stated: ‘‘The Government of Nepal wants to clarify that all measures taken are not intended to evict citizens forcibly but to ensure housing rights by providing permanent solutions to the issue.’’ He urged all citizens not to be misled, to remain calm, and to avoid spreading unverified information.

Prime Minister Balen further explained that the repeal of certain clauses of the Land Act 2071 (2014) via ordinance was necessary, considering current circumstances, as these clauses were obstructing the implementation of long-term solutions. With legal barriers removed, the government has commenced digital data collection, verification, and official recording of genuine landless citizens based on clear criteria.