By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, Dec. 30: Lawmakers in the National Assembly on Monday sought clarification from the government on the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC).
They said that the government should make the House clear about the MCC whether it (MCC) was related to Indo-Pacific Strategy (IPS).
MCC is an American assistance fund for the developing countries and Nepal will receive USD 500 million under the programme to spend in creating powerful cross border transmission lines and rehabilitation of the strategic roads.
Lawmaker Balaram Baskota asked the government to clear the House about the issue. “Whether MCC was related to IPS,” Baskota asked the government.
He also asked the government about the border dispute and the diplomatic efforts being made to resolve the dispute.
Lawmaker Bimala Rai Paudel said that discussion on MCC and its links was not necessary.
“No matter where it is linked, we need it, but we want to know what is written in the agreement,” she said. She said that a careful reading on the agreement was required.
Stating that only 33 countries were selected for MCC from 82 applicants of the world, Paudel said, adding that a mature and careful settlement on the issue needed from the government.
“Nepal has no choice to reject MCC,” she added.
“The opportunity of utilising MCC was obtained after six years’ efforts and we have to spend it carefully as it will benefit us,” she said.
Similarly, lawmaker Ram Narayan Bidari also asked the government to answer about MCC to the House. He said, “We want specific answer from the government about MCC, it has to say whether MCC was related to the IPS.
He said the concerned minister had to clarify the House on the issue in five days.