Author: space4knews

Chennai Super Kings defeated Mumbai Indians by 103 runs in an IPL cricket match. Sanju Samson played an unbeaten century, scoring 101 runs, while Akil Hossain took four wickets to dismantle Mumbai’s innings on April 23, in Kathmandu.

Thanks to Sanju Samson’s outstanding batting and Akil Hossain’s impressive bowling, Chennai Super Kings secured a commanding victory over Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The match, held at Wankhede Stadium, saw Chennai restrict Mumbai to just 104 runs, leading to a 103-run win. Mumbai were bowled out in the 19th over while chasing a target of 208.

Mumbai’s Tilak Varma top-scored with 37 runs, closely followed by Suryakumar Yadav’s 36. Other batsmen failed to reach double figures. Akil Hossain was the major threat, taking 4 wickets for just 17 runs in 4 overs to weaken Mumbai’s innings. Noor Ahmad claimed 2 wickets, while Mukesh Choudhary, Anshul Kamboj, Jamie Overton, and Gurjpanith Singh took one wicket each.

After losing the toss, Chennai chose to bat first and posted a total of 207 for 6 wickets. Opener Sanju Samson smashed 101* runs off 54 balls, including 10 fours and 6 sixes. He reached his century with a boundary on the last ball of his innings. This marks Samson’s second century of the season, having previously scored one against Delhi Capitals. Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad contributed 22 runs, Dewald Brevis 21, Karthik Sharma 18, and Jamie Overton 15. For Mumbai, Allahaz Gajanfar and Ashwani Kumar took 2 wickets each, while Jasprit Bumrah and Mitchell Santner picked up one each. With this victory, Chennai earned their third win in seven matches and climbed to fifth place with 6 points, while Mumbai suffered their eighth defeat of the season.

April 23, Palpa – A model youth parliament exercise was successfully conducted at Damakada Model Secondary School located in Tansen Municipality-9, Palpa. The exercise was organized collaboratively by Damakada Secondary School and the Tony Hagen Foundation. Ward Chairperson Rajesh Kumar Aryal stated that the program was designed to educate students on parliamentary procedures, develop their reasoning skills, and familiarize them with democratic processes.

The model parliament session, facilitated by Foundation Secretary and former Member of Parliament Phatik Thapa, revolved around the resolution addressing the increasing use of illicit substances in society. The discussion focused on the severe harm drug abuse causes to individuals, families, communities, and the nation as a whole. The proposal urged policy measures to promote awareness against drug use through youth engagement programs at school and community levels.

Students took on various roles including Speaker, Ministers, Members of Parliament, Whips, Secretariat staff, and Journalists. The resolution proposed by Roshan Pandey sparked active debate from participants such as Mohit Koirala, Khusi Saru, Pawan Basnyal, Anishtha Pandey, Prasna Dhungana, and Rijan Adhikari. Responses to key questions raised by the model youth parliament members were provided by Home Minister Sadiksha Parajuli.

Program Chairperson Ojaswi Acharya announced the resolution was passed with a majority vote. Prior to this, during the zero hour segment, students Sejal Basnyal, Raksha Basnyal, Ayushma Paudyal, Gunjan Basnyal, Sneha Pandey, Raksha Pandey, Monika Uchhai, Subhechha Karki, Pragya Nyaupane, Manisha Gaha, Anu Sharma, Samjhana Ghimire, Darshan Puri, Babita Dhakal, Rozin Thapa, Menuma Disuwa, Lekhadevi Adhikari, and Pavi Bhattarai brought urgent social issues to the government’s attention.

The Secretariat team included Bonu Kafle, Krishna Ghimire, and Dipika Basnyal, while the roles of Whips were performed by Pramila Chidi, Sangita Darlami, Dheeraj Khamcha, Shridhara Kunwar, Grishma Reshmi, and Min Bahadur Khangaha. The Press Corps featured students Isha Adhikari, Ranjana Thapa, and Supriya Basnyal.

Certificates were distributed to participants by the chief guests – Deputy Mayor of Tansen Municipality, Pratiksha Gaha Sinjali, and Ward Chairperson Rajesh Kumar Aryal, who also serves as the Chair of the School Management Committee. The chief guests emphasized the importance of sustaining the model parliament exercises at the school, noting that this was a novel initiative for the students at Damakada Secondary School.

Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) distributed nearly double the average daily volume of fuel to petrol pumps just before a scheduled price hike, according to recently released data. Following the March 14 increase of NPR 15 on petrol and NPR 10 on diesel, fuel sales declined, yet dealers purchased unusually large quantities. Consumer rights activist Madhav Timalsina has urged the Public Accounts Committee and the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority to probe these irregularities.

Kathmandu, April 23 — Typically, NOC sells around 20 to 25 million liters of petrol and 45 to 50 million liters of diesel daily to fuel stations. However, on March 12, NOC supplied 30.55 million liters of petrol and 83.45 million liters of diesel to pumps. The following day, diesel sales climbed further with stations withdrawing 42.52 million liters of petrol and 96.65 million liters of diesel. Sales halted on March 13 due to a Saturday holiday, but on March 14, petrol sales surged to 48.06 million liters and diesel to 90.9 million liters.

This three-day sales spike, significantly exceeding average daily sales, preceded a notable fuel price hike that night. NOC justified the price increases by citing sudden international market price surges and higher costs from Indian Oil Corporation (IOC). Yet, despite knowledge among businesspeople and NOC employees of rising global prices, dealers accumulated excess fuel prior to the hike, pointing to insider trading practices. This contributed to NOC incurring millions of rupees in losses.

After announcing the price hike on March 14, NOC revealed financial statements indicating it would still suffer a loss of NPR 393 million over 15 days despite raising prices. These figures suggest the losses were not caused solely by international market factors but also by dealers exploiting insider knowledge to stockpile cheap fuel and resell it at higher prices, thereby deepening the corporation’s financial shortfall.

NOC attributed the surge in demand on March 12–14 to typical weekend buying patterns, stating that Saturdays off cause higher fuel consumption on Fridays and Sundays. However, data shows daily fuel uptake more than doubled compared to the average before the price rise, followed by a significant drop in sales after the price adjustment. For instance, on March 15, petrol sales fell to 16.14 million liters and diesel to 55 million liters; further decreases were seen on subsequent days.

The rationale behind this pattern is straightforward: dealers purchased fuel at NPR 154 per liter before the increase and sold it at NPR 172 after, generating substantial profits at NOC’s expense. Fuel sales returned to normal levels over the following days, with March 19 and 20 showing average sales figures again.

Ordinarily, NOC adjusts prices on the 1st and 16th of each English calendar month after receiving price lists from IOC. However, this cycle was disrupted when an additional price increase was implemented on March 24, just ten days after the previous hike, apparently after early warnings to certain business stakeholders.

Diesel sales on March 23 and 24 exceeded 60 million liters each day, and on March 25, prices rose by NPR 15 for both petrol and diesel. Subsequently, sales normalized again. The usual weekend sales surge explanation did not apply during this period, as March 27 (a Friday) saw markedly reduced consumption, with petrol and diesel sales dropping sharply.

Strangely high sales resumed mid-April, notably on April 1 and 2, right before the Nepali New Year (Baisakh 1). Following holidays on April 1 and 2, suspiciously large quantities of petrol (43.72 million liters) and diesel (76.75 million liters) were purchased by dealers. After a price hike of NPR 30 per liter on diesel on April 3, fuel sales again declined sharply.

NOC’s ERP software maintains detailed records of each pump’s storage capacity and average daily sales. These records reveal that while sales remain normal on most days, demand spikes dramatically before price increases, with NOC staff seemingly allowing excess fuel distribution to dealers. Despite these patterns, NOC has not rigorously enforced average quota limits to prevent such irregularities. Consequently, the leakage of sensitive price hike information has enabled dealers to amass fuel cheaply and resell at inflated prices, resulting in sudden multi-million rupee profits for traders and massive losses for the corporation.

Consumer rights advocates accuse NOC of facilitating a cycle whereby the public bears the brunt of high fuel prices to cover corporation losses. Madhav Timalsina denounced the excessive fuel distribution as a ‘heinous crime’ and has called on Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee, subcommittees, the Anti-Corruption Commission, and the Office of the Prime Minister to launch investigations and impose strict penalties. He emphasized that allowing fuel distribution that benefits only a few at the cost of the state and consumers requires the severest punishment.

Timalsina pointed to the responsibility of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, including its Secretary and NOC’s Board Chairperson, urging comprehensive investigations into fuel distribution volumes before and after the price hikes versus normal demand.

Dr. Chandika Prasad Bhatt, Executive Director of NOC, initially stated he was unaware of the issue but committed to a prompt investigation, saying, “If excessive fuel was distributed ahead of the price increase, strict action will be taken against those involved.” He pledged to examine depot records and investigate thoroughly.

Dr. Bhatt noted that he did not initially suspect foul play but assured that any irregularities uncovered upon reviewing depot data would lead to sanctions. He also claimed that NOC has been exercising control over fuel distribution, cutting volumes by 20% compared with the previous fiscal year as per directives.

The NOC leadership has decided to scrutinize depot records for purchases made by dealers ahead of price hikes to ensure accountability and prevent recurrence.

April 23, Kathmandu – Janajati activist Raksha Bam has questioned Ravi Lamichhane, chairman of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), regarding the government’s plan to deploy bulldozers in the Sukumbasi settlements in Kathmandu. Earlier, during his election campaign, Lamichhane had vowed to come and confront the government if they attempted to clear the Sukumbasi settlements with bulldozers. Referencing this, Raksha posted a photo of the Sukumbasi settlement on Facebook and challenged Lamichhane by asking, “Honorable Ravi Lamichhane Ji, will you come tomorrow to face the people here?”

“Many believe that voting for your party was a mistake. You are no different from parties that have turned the settlements where Sukumbasi have lived for decades into mere vote banks,” Raksha wrote. “Today, the Sukumbasi settlement is living in fear.” She further questioned Lamichhane, asking, “When will you speak directly with the Sukumbasi residents?” adding, “Please come tomorrow.”

Earlier on Wednesday evening, Prime Minister Balendra Shah (Balen) summoned the heads of security agencies and ordered preparations to clear the Sukumbasi settlements. Following this directive, the government is preparing to evict residents from four Sukumbasi settlements across the Kathmandu Valley in the coming days. The police have already conducted loudspeaker announcements in the settlements to notify the residents.

April 23, Sankhuwasabha — A man who went fishing in Silichong Rural Municipality-1 of Sankhuwasabha district was found dead after getting trapped in a fishing net. Local Ward Chairperson Anish Rai informed that 39-year-old Dhanduram Rai was discovered lifeless. Dhanduram had gone to fish in the Sankhuwa river on Wednesday afternoon. After a prolonged absence, his family and neighbors filed a missing person report at the local police outpost on Thursday morning. During the search, Rai’s body was recovered from the river, according to Chairperson Rai. His body had become entangled in the fishing net underwater. Authorities have stated that further investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Nearly two months after the completion of the House of Representatives election, the Nepali Congress has yet to select its parliamentary party leader. The delay in the leadership selection process is due to a lack of consensus between party President Gagan Thapa and Vice President Bishwaprakash Sharma. Although an election committee was formed on Chaitra 24 (early April), the schedule for the leadership election has been postponed due to ongoing disagreements. Kathmandu, 10 Baisakh.

Despite nearly two months having passed since the House of Representatives election, the Nepali Congress has struggled to finalize its parliamentary party leader. The delay by the main opposition party has impeded the full formation of the Constitutional Council, affecting its operations. Party President Gagan Thapa favors Mohan Acharya, a directly elected member of parliament, for the leadership, while Vice President Bishwaprakash Sharma has proposed proportional representative MP Bishma Raj Angdembe.

Mohan Acharya was directly elected from Rasuwa, whereas Bishma Raj Angdembe is a proportional representative MP from Panchthar. Angdembe was appointed co-general secretary during the party’s 14th general convention. A senior Congress leader attributes the delay in finalizing the parliamentary party leader mainly to the lack of consensus between President Thapa and Vice President Sharma. The election committee coordinator, Prakash Rasaili, had initially announced that the election schedule would be published on 2 Baisakh and the election held on 4 Baisakh. However, the schedule was not released on time and was instead published on 7 Baisakh.

Congress leaders state that the delay in selecting the parliamentary party leader has occurred because President Thapa has been engaged in efforts to build consensus. “The delay is due to various attempts to secure unanimity,” said a senior official. Since the 2064 BS election (2007/08), the party leader has never been selected by unanimous decision in the parliamentary history of Congress. Leaders indicate that this time as well, the leader will likely be chosen through a voting process.

The Struggle Committee has submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister of Madhesh Province urging immediate advancement of the new bridge construction over the Kamala River. The committee has threatened protests, citing the failure to implement the agreement reached on 7 Bhadra 2081 between the Madhesh Province government and the committee. Chief Minister Yadav stated that coordination with the federal government and ensuring funding are necessary for progress.

Kathmandu, 10 Baisakh — The Struggle Committee for the Construction of the New Kamala Bridge urged the Madhesh Province Chief Minister to expedite the project, submitting a memorandum on Thursday. The committee warned of agitation if the construction does not begin promptly, referencing the unfulfilled agreement made on 7 Bhadra 2081 between the Madhesh Province government and the committee.

Despite nearly two years passing, the committee alleges delays in implementing the agreement and accuses authorities of misleading the public. They noted that even as the fiscal year 2082/83 is coming to a close, the contract procedure for the new bridge has yet to be initiated. The existing bridge is in a dilapidated state and maintenance efforts have been ineffective. The memorandum states that if the contracting process does not commence within seven days, the committee will initiate protest actions such as hunger strikes, road blockades, and demonstrations.

Responding to the memorandum, Chief Minister Krishna Prasad Yadav acknowledged the gravity of the issue. He recognized the existing bridge as a lifeline of Madhesh that has been in poor condition for 15 years and emphasized the necessity of its reconstruction. He explained, “This route falls under the postal road and hence is under federal jurisdiction; we are coordinating with the federal government. Although the current year’s Red Book allocated NPR 10 million, that amount is insufficient for bridge construction, which is estimated to cost more than NPR 2 billion.”

According to Chief Minister Yadav, securing funding is essential, and discussions with the federal government are ongoing. He appealed to the Struggle Committee to remain patient and support the government’s efforts. He also noted that the current bridge’s design is flawed and that the provincial government is committed to making necessary improvements to fully integrate it with the postal road network.