Kathmandu: The International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) on Friday handed over flood relief materials donated by the Communist Party of China to the representatives of Nepali political parties. “Relief materials including rice, blankets, food package and other daily necessities worth nineteen million and senventy thousand Nepalese rupees will be distributed to households affected by recent floods and landslides through Nepalese political parties,” Chinese ambassador to Nepal Cheng Song said. “China and Nepal are friends in need and always stand together.”
Critics have said that the donation by CPC to Nepali political parties instead of through the government agencies could set a bad precedent.
This is “not the best way,” wrote senior journalist Dhruba Hari Adhikari on X. “Because people not associated with any political parties will be deprived of the help. Such assistance should also be channeled through government agency/agencies.” “This is a very dangerous practice,” commented Vijaya Kant Karna, former ambassador, stating that it will give “opportunities for other countries’ diplomatic missions to distribute anything to Nepalese political parties.”
“Assistance at the times of disaster is welcome but such assistance should be accepted through one-door policy,” Govind Raj Pokharel, Nepali Congress Central Member and former Vice-Chair of National Planning Commission commented. “We need to think on time regarding political party of other countries providing assistance to our political parties directly. What will happen if hundreds of political parties from India, Europe and other countries start providing assistance to our political parties directly?,” he questioned.
On Wednesday, the Red Cross Society of China had donated 100,000 US dollars in disaster relief funds to Nepal Red Cross Society.
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