MCC Vice-President Alford in Kathmandu
Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact Operations Department Cameron Alford arrived in Kathmandu on Tuesday.
The Kathmandu-based US Embassy said the US government was excited to know the progress of the MCC compact.
It has been made possible through regular cooperation among wider stakeholders, governments in Nepal and political parties, the embassy sources said.
"We are committed to collaborate with MCA-Nepal to ensure successful implementation of the compact. All concerned parties are working to attain the goals of the MCC compact on time", the embassy said.
Preparations were made to commence the implementation of the $500 million MCC compact from today onward. The project related to energy and road infrastructure development is supposed to spur economic growth and reduce poverty in Nepal.
Noting that the MCC had received explanatory declaration last year, the US Embassy said they had accepted the explanatory note as part of the compact.
According to the agreement, August 30 marks the commencement of the implementation of the five-year project.
UML’s high-level team leaving for China at the invitation of CPC
A high-level delegation of the CPN-UML is visiting China at the invitation of Communist Party of China (CPC).
A team led by UML General Secretary Shankar Pokharel will head towards Beijing, the Capital of China, via Guangzhou next week.
The delegation led by General Secretary Pokharel, who has already become the Chief Minister of Lumbini Province, will stay in the northern neighbor for two weeks.
According to a source, the UML leaders will leave for Beijing on Sunday.
A UML leader said that the General Secretary Pokharel-led team will hold a meeting with senior leaders of the Communist Party of China.
The Foreign Department of the Communist Party of China had invited the UML delegation to visit China.
“A high-level team led by the General Secretary is leaving for China at the invitation of Communist Party of China,” the UML leader said.
The Communist Party of China has also invited a high-level delegation of the UML to visit China at a time when preparations are being made for Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s visit.
A team led by CPN (Maoist Center) Vice-Chairman Agni Sapkota had also visited China on May 19.
On August 10, CPN (Maoist Center) General Secretary Dev Gurung left for China. Gurung, who had left for the northern neighbor to make preparations for Prime Minister Dahal’s China visit, has already returned home.
On August 16, a team led by Major General Yue Ande, the Tibet Military Commander of the Chinese People's Liberation Army came to Nepal.
PM Dahal reiterates government’s commitment to maintain social unity, harmony
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has commended the contribution and courage of the people of Rolpa district for a political change in Nepal.
Responding to queries raised by lawmakers in today's meeting of the House of Representatives, he said the government has focused on the development of the district. "The government has prioritized bringing the backward region in terms of development onboard the mainstream. The government has given priorities to social justice, good governance and public service."
On police investigations into various cases recently, the PM said the government had clearly directed the police administration to freely and impartially investigate the cases so the guilty should not escape and innocent must not be booked. "There is no need to halt investigations when it comes to investigating cases relating to the Prime Minister. Put aside my party in this regard," he said. Those found involved in corruption would face action, he added.
The government is committed to preventing any such activities that would disturb social unity, harmony and social coexistence, the PM said, adding the government would not give exemption in activities that disturb social harmony and go against culture and religion of each other.
While maintaining the coexistence of all of us, our national unity will be strengthened through the protection and preservation of our originality thus consolidating our nationality in a true sense, PM Dahal reiterated.
Maoist should be transformed first for country's transformation: Dahal
Prime Minister and CPN (Maoist Center) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said that the basis for the county's transformation could be prepared only by transforming the Maoist party.
Addressing a program organized by the Valley Special Province Committee of the CPN (Maoist Center) in the Capital on Tuesday, Chairman Dahal said that transformation of the Maoist is a mandatory condition.
"A campaign with a new determination of the country's transformation has been initiated. We will move ahead further accelerating it. Transformation of the CPN (Maoist Center) is mandatory for the same," he said.
Stating that the government has forwarded a campaign of good governance with determination, Chairman Dahal clarified that the campaign would not be stopped.
"The government will take action against all involved in illegal and criminal activities like fake Bhutanese refugee scam, gold smuggling and corruption. It will not be stopped. We will move ahead with strong determination," Dahal further said.
He pointed out the need of qualitative development for the country's prosperity, stressing the need of changing the model of development.
"The traditional development model cannot guide the country towards the path of prosperity. There is a need for qualitative transformation for the same. We cannot always carry the failed development model with us. We will move ahead with a new economic policy and plan by the time of the next budget," he said.
Moreover, Dahal said that the government has taken various steps in the interest of the country and the people, and the people will soon be able to reap the benefits.
