Monarchy or republic? Without budget credibility, neither will make lives better

Last few weeks, the media and the streets have been resonant with pro-monarchy voices. In response, some republican forces have

Persecuting Dalits in the name of religion

On March 20, 2081, houses of Dalit community were demolished in Aurahi Municipality-5, Siraha district of Madhesh Province of Nepal.

Nepal’s post-earthquake recovery: What the UN can do

I still remember the chaos of April 25, 2015. The ground beneath me trembled violently, buildings cracked like fragile shells,

Views from the ground: Why are locals protesting construction of cable car in Pathibhara?

A major dispute has erupted over the proposed cable car project at the famous Pathibhara Temple in Taplejung, Nepal. One

Unpopular opinion: Can Nepal join the Commonwealth?

This piece, centered on novel ways for Nepal to promote itself worldwide, is about a provocation that might be easily

Nepali lawmakers demand transparency of USAID programs

Kathmandu: Members of the Finance Committee under the House of Representatives on Sunday demanded that the government make public expenditures under the USAID programs in Nepal. Speaking at the Committee meeting today, lawmaker Ganga Karki voiced that the government should unveil the details of expenditures when US President Donald Trump has accused of ‘fraud’ in the aid implementation. Through an unofficial channel, it has been learnt that the fund was spent through the Natural Resources and Finance Commission and the Commission should address the concern.

Gyanendra Bahadur Karki called for understating in what context the US President cited the ‘fraud’. He went on to say that the US-funded Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact was signed during his term as the Finance Minister and it was endorsed by the parliament. Karki also stressed the need to conclude the bills that are under discussions in the Finance Committee. Surya Bahadur Thapa Chhetri was of the view that the statement by the US President should be discussed in the House not in the Committee as this is a parliamentary issue. The details of expenditures under the USAID could be sought from the Ministry of Finance, he proposed.