KATHMANDU, FEBRUARY 15

Nepali Congress parliamentary party and central executive committee have decided to vote in favour of the Millennium Challenge Corporation compact in the House of Representatives. The ruling NC wants the MCC compact to be tabled in the Parliament as soon as possible, but the Parliament Secretariat has not listed it in the tentative list of tomorrow's HoR agenda.

NC Spokesperson Mahat hoped that it could be listed tomorrow.

The United States has set a deadline of February 28 to secure parliamentary ratification of the $500 million grant.

Talking to mediapersons after the NC parliamentary party meeting, NC General Secretary Gagan Kumar Thapa said since the KP Sharma Oli-led Cabinet approved the MCC compact on 8 February 2019 before registering it in the Parliament on 15 July 2019, it should not shirk from its responsibility of supporting it in the House.

Deuba claimed that the CPN-Maoist Centre and the CPN (Unified Socialist), who were part of the Oli-led government when the compact was approved, should also support it ratification by the House.

Meanwhile, NC Spokesperson Prakash Sharan Mahat held a press conference here today and urged all to support the MCC compact.

'In most loan agreements, donors often bring their own contractors and equipment, but this is the only project where Nepal will be in full control of the project,' Mahat added.

He said the MCC grant would be used in infrastructure projects, such as electricity transmission lines and road upgradation, which could help Nepal generate employment, export surplus electricity, and enable rural farmers to sell their produce in urban markets. Mahat rubbished talk of the MCC being part of America's Indo-Pacific strategy and assured that the deal would not undermine Nepal's sovereignty or independence.

Stating that MCC project was chosen by Nepal, Mahat said MCC ratification can help the country to seek assistance or loan from other donor countries and the World Bank and Asian Development Bank like institutions to get assistance on more beneficial terms.

Mahat said that UML leader Bhim Rawal and CPN-MC leader Narayan Kaji Shrestha were also involved in the MCC project at some point in the past. Both the leaders are opposed to its ratification by the Parliament.

Mahat said the MCC deal was not aimed against any country.

The NC will distribute leaflets to dispel people's doubts about the MCC deal.

'We never have double standards on issues of foreign policy and agreements signed with foreign countries,' Mahat said. Citing Mongolia's example, he said that a country which was sandwiched between China and Russia had already received the MCC grant and was trying to get more.

Speaker Agni Prasad Sapkota has called a Business Advisory Committee meeting tomorrow to discuss the MCC compact.

A version of this article appears in the print on February 16, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.