“Khabarhub Debate” on MCC to be organized today

KATHMANDU: Khabahub is organizing “Khabarhub Debate” on Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) this afternoon.

As many as 20 experts, including former ambassadors, former diplomats, among others, are invited to put forth their views on MCC at the debate to be organized in the Pavilion Hall, Durbarmarg at 1 pm.

The debate program will be participated by Professor Dr. Bishwambher Pyakuryal, Chairman of Institute for Strategic and Socio-Economic Research (ISSR); Prof. Dr. Govind Nepal, Economist and Director of ISSR; Prof. Vijay Kanta Karna, Former Ambassador and Ganesh Kumar Mandal, Madhesi Intellectual, among others.

Likewise, Devesh Jha, Political analyst; Gopal Thapa, Foreign Policy Expert; Shailendra Guragain, Energy Expert; Apurva Khatiwada, Legal Expert; Semanta Dahal, Advocate; Gyanendra Lal Pradhan, Hydro Investor; Prof. Kapil Shrestha, Civil Society Leader; Prof. Dr. Chandra Mani Adhikari and Dr. Bijaya Shrestha, Professor/Economist are also ensuring their participation.

Similarly, the debate will also see active participation of Binoj Basnyat, Major General (Retd) and Political/Security Analyst; Lal Shanker Ghimire, Economic Expert/Former Secretary; Arun Kumar Subedi, Political analyst; Naresh Shrestha, Chairman of Khabarhub, and Dr Ravindra Prasad Pandey, Director ISSR, among others.

The MCC has been widely debated in Nepal of late with the visit of Fatema Z. Sumar, Vice President of MCC Compact Operations, to Nepal on September 9.

During her visit, she held talks with political leaders, including Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, CPN-UML Chairman KP Oli, Maoist Center Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda”, political leaders, government officials, and business and community leaders.

During her meetings here in Kathmandu, she specifically affirmed that the MCC grant program has no military component, will not impede Nepal’s sovereignty, and Nepal’s constitution will prevail over the agreement.

Prior to negotiating and signing the compact in 2017, the Government of Nepal had designed the 5-year grant program to provide more reliable electricity and lower power and transportation costs for all Nepalis.