KATHMANDU: A meeting of the House of Representatives (HoR) is scheduled to discuss the US government's grant assistance Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) compact today.
According to the business schedule released by the Federal Parliament Secretariat, Finance Minister Janardan Sharma is scheduled to table a proposal seeking general discussions on the MCC at the meeting that will commence at 1:00 pm.
Likewise, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba will present the annual report of the Office of the Attorney General of the fiscal year 2021/22 at the Lower House meeting.
Prior to this, Speaker Agni Prasad Sapkota had organised a meeting of the business advisory board.
As per the Federal Parliament Secretariat, the lawmakers willing to put their views on the MCC will take part in the theoretical discussions after tabling MCC in the parliament.
On Thursday, issuing a notice, the HoR meeting was postponed after the Business Advisory Committee of HoR failed to forge consensus on the issue of forwarding the MCC compact.
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Protesters demonstrating against a contentious half-billion-dollar aid grant from the US clashed with police outside the legislature yesterday as political leaders postponed debate over the proposal. They claimed the conditions in the grant agreement will prevail over Nepal’s laws and threaten the country’s sovereignty. They say it’s part of Washington’s Indo-Pacific strategy, which has military components that could bring American soldiers to Nepal.
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Ruling Nepali Congress (NC) and main opposition CPN (UML) leaders held discussions on a positive nod for the ratification of MCC on Thursday.
Prime Minister Deuba urged the UML leaders not to take the issue of MCC otherwise since his party has stood in a single stance whether the party was in the government or in opposition and the MCC was an issue of national importance.
Similarly, UML Chair Oli urged the NC leadership for creating an environment conducive for the UML to participate in the parliamentary process adding that UML was not present in the parliamentary processes lately though the party was positive on MCC.
NC general secretary Gagan Kumar Thapa shared that the leaders of the two parties are also scheduled to meet today.
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Meanwhile, former Prime Minister and Chairman of CPN (Unified Socialist) Madhav Kumar Nepal has said the MCC could not be ratified from the parliament without amendment.
Addressing the first Sudurpaschim Province gathering of the party's youth association in Dhangadhi, Kailali district, on Thursday, Chairman Nepal said the MCC should be ratified only on the basis of consensus since MCC has deepened the political crisis in the country.
He said his party was for the idea to hold serious discussions and consultations among all political parties prior to the MCC ratification from the parliament.
Also speaking at the programme, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Prem Bahadur Ale said he would abide by the party's official stance on MCC. "Rumours have been spread about the ministers of the Unified Socialist party saying they would vote for the MCC ratification. We will not take any decision on our own and the party's decision will be our final decision," Minister Ale said.
Minister Ale shared his efforts for the development and expansion of tourist destinations in Sudurpaschim Province.
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Published Date: February 25, 2022, 12:00 am
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