Honour the people’s voice

The Himalayan Times

16 September 2021

Honour the people’s voice

It is said that the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) is an independent U.S. Government agency working to reduce global poverty through economic growth. Created in 2004, MCC provides time-limited grants and assistance to poor countries that meet rigorous standards for good governance, from fighting corruption to respecting democratic rights. The U.S. Government’s MCC and the Government of Nepal had signed a $500 million compact to spur economic growth and reduce poverty in Nepal on September 14,2017 in Washington. The then Nepali Minister of Finance Gyanendra Bahadur Karki had signed the agreement on behalf of the Nepal Government.

The compact mentions that Nepal faces extensive economic development challenges caused by an inadequate supply of electricity and high transportation costs to move both goods and people. The MCC Nepal Compact is designed to increase the availability of electricity and lower the cost of transportation in Nepal. It will help support Nepal to better deliver critical services to its people, ease the movement of goods around the country.

Having said these, where have the things gone wrong? Now, suddenly, the intention of the MCC contact agreement does not seem to be in favour of Nepal in terms of its sovereignty, national integrity and security as per some of the clauses included in the agreement. One the final day of her four-day visit, Fatema Z.Sumar, vice president of the MCC contact agreement, told the media that Nepal should stop delaying ratification of the MCC. Why the past governments and this government continue to linger on the MCC issue has become the people’s concern, who are frequently seen protesting out in the streets.

Rai Biren Bangdel

Maharajgunj

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