KATHMANDU: A proposal tabled in the House of Representatives (HoR) meeting on Sunday for general discussion on the US government’s grant assistance Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact has been approved by a majority of votes.

The proposal tabled by Finance Minister Janardan Sharma was endorsed by HoR meeting. Earlier, lawmakers from different political parties had put forth their views on the proposal while taking part in the deliberations in principle.

Taking part in the deliberations, Nepali Congress lawmaker Dr Minendra Rijal defended the MCC compact while Maoist Centre’s Giriraj Mani Pokharel said some provisions of the MCC compact were not in line with Nepal’s domestic laws.

Likewise, Niradevi Jairu of CPN (Unified Socialist) said the compact should be advanced without lowering the image of Nepalis.

Maoist Centre’s Anjana Bishankhe claimed that the MCC compact would prevail over the domestic laws while lawmaker Hridayesh Tripathi termed the MCC compact just a development project.

Similarly, Janata Samajwadi Party’s Renuka Gurung and Pramod Sah said the MCC compact should be advanced based on national consensus and understanding.

Also taking part in the deliberation, Jiban Ram Shrestha of CPN (Unified Socialist) said the issues raised regarding the MCC compact should be addressed amicably.