MUSTANG: Chairman of the CPN (Maoist Centre) and former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda has said that Nepal was being punished for a mistake it did not commit regarding climate change.

Speaking at a party programme in Mustang on Wednesday, former Prime Minister Prachanda said that the serious effects of climate change are now visible in Nepal. He added that he has consistently raised the issue of compensation for loss and damage suffered by Nepal from the impact of climate change at international platforms.

He said that during his tenure as Prime Minister, he clearly spoke about Nepal’s suffering due to climate change at various international forums and worked towards securing annual support through a dedicated fund as compensation.

Prachanda said, “People are suffering the consequences of a crime they never committed. The efforts I made by prioritising climate change issues were about to yield results, but my government was pulled down.”

He also claimed that a process had been initiated to provide compensation of Rs. 500 million to Nepal through an international fund, and he had tried to channel that amount to Mustang district, but the process has now stalled.

He stressed that the least developed countries like Nepal must continue to exert pressure to reduce the impacts of climate change. He also expressed dissatisfaction that the recent policies, programmes and budget have failed to prioritise climate change. He assured that he would continue to exert pressure regarding the impacts of climate change.

He also said that border points connected with China, including Korala in Upper Mustang, had been opened. Referring to his visit to China, he said the Chinese side had shown interest in building physical infrastructure at the border points and that he would press the concerned authorities to address problems and ensure regular operation of those border points.

He added that issues such as the operation of border points, convenience for locals and economic activities are shared concerns of all the people and that he would continue efforts even from outside the government.

He also expressed commitment to drawing the attention of relevant authorities regarding local problems along the Beni-Jomsom Road under the Kaligandaki Corridor.

According to Sandip Khatri, a central member of the Young Communist League (YCL), the sister organisation of the CPN (Maoist Centre), chairman Prachanda, who arrived in Mustang on Wednesday morning, is scheduled to meet party cadres, observe various organisations including Dhaulagiri Technical School, provide training and lay the foundation stone of the party office on Thursday before returning to Kathmandu.

He is accompanied by CPN (Maoist Centre) General Secretary Dev Gurung, Deputy General Secretary Shakti Basnet and Secretary and Gandaki Province In-Charge Dinanath Sharma, among other leaders.