Minister for Communication and Information Technology Gyanendra Bahadur Karki on behalf of Finance Minister Janardan Sharma tabled the $500 million American grant agreement amid obstructions by the main opposition CPN-UML.
Following an agreement in the ruling alliance on Sunday morning, the Business Advisory Committee agreed to incorporate the MCC compact into the agenda of the lower house.
The representatives of the ruling Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre) in the Business Advisory Committee, however, had expressed their reservations about tabling the MCC compact.
Speaker Agni Sapkota said there has to be a discussion on the US grant among the representatives of the sovereign people. Elite Joshi/TKP
While tabling the compact, Minister Karki said since all other preconditions have been fulfilled, Nepalis will benefit from the grant agreement.
The $500 million grant agreement signed in September 2017 is meant for building electricity transmission lines and improving roads in Nepal. It was registered in Parliament in July 2019 for its ratification.
After continued delays, the Americans warned that they could terminate the compact if Nepali leaders failed to fulfil their own signed commitments and table and ratify it by February 28.
Prior to allowing Minister Karki to table the MCC compact, Speaker Agni Sapkota said there has to be a discussion on the US grant among the representatives of the sovereign people.
Elite Joshi/TKP
“I would like to request all the lawmakers to create an environment to discuss the MCC compact,” he said. “It is imperative that the House discusses the matter to stop further polarization in the society.”
Some sections of the society are opposed to the MCC compact.
The House meeting has been adjourned until Thursday after tabling the compact.
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