Have stance on MCC

The Himalayan Times

13 February 2020

Have stance on MCC

These days, Nepal and its government has been caught between the people and Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), which is an innovative and independent U.S. foreign assistance agency that is helping lead the fight against global poverty. MCC was created by the U.S. Congress in January 2004 with strong bilateral support. It provides time-limited grants to a partner country aiming to promoting economic growth, reducing poverty, and strengthening institutions. MCC forms partnerships with developing countries that are committed to good governance, economic freedom and investing in their citizens.

As per its mission, MCC projects tackle some of the most pressing challenges people face in developing countries. Major focus of its projects include anti-corruption, education, energy, finance and enterprise development, health, land rights and access to land, transportation infrastructure, water supply and sanitation. Its investment in Nepal focuses on energy and power and transportation infrastructure, with the objectives of increasing the availability of electricity and lowering the cost of transportation. These investments will help the Government better deliver critical services to its people, ease the movement of goods around the country and improve the availability and supply of electricity. 

Having said all these, the government has been facing wide criticism in the streets. It seems that either the government has completely failed to disseminate appropriate information to the people about the MCC or the government itself is not fully aware of MCC’s consequences. People have interpreted MCC as being a crucial part of the Indo-Pacific Strategy (IPS), which was disclosed by David J Ranz, Assistant Secretary for South Asia at the US State Department, during his Nepal visit in May last year. If it is so, why can’t the government request the US to nullify the project rather than creating social chaos in the country?

Rai Biren Bangdel

Maharajgunj