After much debates, the House of Representatives finally ratified the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) grant agreement reached between Nepal and the US government, this evening.
The second meeting of the HoR ratified the MCC compact. Finance Minister Janardan Sharma had presented the proposal seeking the passage of the MCC compact along with descriptive notes. The proposal was passed by the voice note.
Speaker Agni Prasad Sapkota informed that even the descriptive notes were issued by the parliament.
The major opposition, CPN UML, however, continued its protest over non-implementation of its decision.
The parliament would meet next on February 30.
Earlier, taking part in the discussion on Finance Minister’s proposal seeking ratification of the MCC compact along with descriptive notes, the lawmakers put forth views for and against the MCC compact.
Lawmaker Parbata Bisankhe said the descriptive notes of the MCC compact should be approved in letter and spirit, adding that the US government too should accept it otherwise Nepal should scrap it.
Likewise, lawmaker of Rastriya Janamorcha Durga Poudel argued that the descriptive notes were one-sided and the MCC compact was against the spirit of nationality and national sovereignty.
UML lawmaker Bhim Bahadur Rawal also questioned the one-sided descriptive notes, stating that it created illusion on the country and people.
However, Nepali Congress (NC) whip Pushpa Bhusal believed that MCC would help strengthen Nepal’s economy and support in development of infrastructures in Nepal. Bhusal said it while taking part in the deliberation on the proposal, seeking ratification of MCC compact in the second meeting of the House of Representatives (HoR).
She described that a total of 46 countries across the world had inked agreement with MCC and there was not a single case of military alliance relating to the MCC. She also commented that the descriptive notes on the MCC were positive.
Parliament Prem Suwal, however, protested the MCC agreement and demanded it be withdrawn. Matrika Prasad Yadav said that descriptive notes were a part of the MCC internationally.
Similarly, Dr Minendra Rijal expressed his confidence that the descriptive notes would help dispel the misleading information about the MCC.
CPN (Unified Socialist) lawmaker Jivan Ram Shrestha said that the descriptive notes on the MCC were positive and the American side should also mandatorily abide by it.
CPN (Maoist Centre) Girirajmani Pokharel viewed that more light should be thrown on the MCC.
Source: National News Agency Nepal
