Former Prime Minister Khanal accused the MCC agreement of violating Nepal's democratic values by calling it a tool of American security strategy.
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Former Prime Minister and respected leader of CPN (Unified Socialist) Jhalnath Khanal has commented that the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) agreement with the US is against Nepal's sovereignty, geo-political balance and the spirit of the Constitution.
In an interaction program held in Kathmandu on Sunday, leader Khanal alleged that the agreement between Nepal and MCC is a tool to advance the American security strategy in South Asia.
MCC agreement has seriously affected Nepal's geo-political balance with China and India, he says. He also mentioned that the MCC agreement was approved by Parliament in an unusual manner. He also claimed that the incident of MCC being passed without discussion in the parliament was a surprising drama and it violated democratic values.
Former Prime Minister Khanal also said that due to the dual role of political parties, students, youth and intellectuals had to suffer due to nationalist stance. Mentioning that the MCC agreement will force Nepal to trade electricity only with India, he commented that it would strengthen the Indian monopoly.
Pointing out the need to reconsider the MCC, he said that any provision that challenges the sovereignty and national interest of Nepal will not be acceptable.
According to the agreement between Nepal Government and MCC on August 29, 2074, the project implementation started from August 13, 2080. In the initial agreement, it is mentioned that the American government will bear 500 million dollars and the Nepal government will bear 197 million dollars for the 697 million dollars (about 92 billion) project.
Last December, the US government announced an additional 50 million dollars for the project. Under MCA Nepal, 18 km Butwal-Gorakhpur transmission line, 400 kV new Butwal substation, 400 kV new Damauli substation and 400 kV Ratamate substation are under construction. According to MCA Nepal, the proposal received by calling for 297 km transmission line and 40 km contract from Dhankhola to Lamahi is being evaluated.
