Nepal PM Prachanda cancels UN visit over domestic issues

Nepal Prime Minister Prachanda today cancelled his scheduled visit to the UN taking into account concerns raised by Madhesis and other agitating parties over the implementation of the new Constitution.
Prachanda was scheduled to fly to New York today to take part in the 71st Session of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
He decided not to leave Nepal at present taking into consideration the voices raised by the agitating parties and the general public to focus on the resolution of concerns raised by them, implementation of the Constitution and reconstruction in the wake of the April 2015 Nepal earthquake, the Prime Minister's Secretariat said.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat, who flew to New York from New Delhi, would lead the Nepali delegation to the UNGA after Prachanda cancelled his trip, Himalayan Times reported.
In his address at the UNGA, Mahat would touch issues such as international migration and refugees, sustainable development agenda, Nepal's post-constitution political development as well as post-earthquake reconstruction on behalf of the Nepal government.
Prachanda returned home from a state visit to India yesterday and said his first overseas visit to India was successful and focused on creating an "environment of trust" and effectively implement bilateral projects for Nepal's benefit.

With the support from the Madhesi parties, Prachanda, who joined hands with the largest party Nepali Congress to oust CPN-UML Chairman and former prime minister KP Sharma Oli, was elected Nepal's Prime Minister on August 3.

Even after 45 days after his election as the Prime Minister, an agreement forged by his party CPN Maoist Centre and the Nepali Congress with the Madhesi parties on the amendment of Constitution is yet to be implemented.
(Reopens FGN 27)
Nepal needs to attain infrastructure milestone by 2030 which includes generating 10,000 MW power, connecting all cities and local bodies with blacktopped roads, completing fast-track expressway and major trunk roads integrating with neighbouring economies, having modern international airport, and establishing urban systems to provide quality municipal services, Wenchai said.

Assuring ADB's continued support to Nepal's development endeavour, he said ADB is expecting the current 300 million annual lending to Nepal be increased to 1.2 billion in 2017-19 period, subject to readiness of projects and improved implementation performance.
He also congratulated political leadership of Nepal for "making efforts to implement the new Constitution by forging a political consensus, while at the same time taking concrete steps to open a new era towards economic prosperity.