Kathmandu, February 20. The government has tabled the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) compact at the federal parliament today. The project is funded by the US.

Minister for Communications and Information Technology Gyanendra Bahadur Karki presented the MCC agreement to the House of Representatives on behalf of Finance Minister Janardan Sharma.

It was presented despite some difference in opinion of some lawmakers amongst the leading parties. MCC has been long debated in Nepal.

Former prime minister of Nepal KP Sharma Oli also had agreed on tabling and endorsing MCC on February 8, 2019.

Current prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba wants to endorse the deal while other leaders of the ruling coalition, Prachanda and Madhav Kumar Nepal wants to amend it before the endorsement.

Protests outside the parliament against MCC

Cadres from different political parties protested in front of the parliament building in New Baneshwor.

Situation became tensed as the police used tear gas and water pipes to disperse the crowd. It went out of control when both the cadres and police became injured by hitting of sticks and throwing of stones. A few number of political cadres and police personnel are said to be injured.

US has given the deadline of February 28, 2022 for endorsement of the deal, with parliament endorsement being a requirement before the rollout.