In response to a question on the verdict of the Royal Commission for Corruption (RCCC) against former Prime Minister of Nepal, Mr. Sher Bahadur Deuba, Ministry of External Affairs’ Official Spokesman said:

“It is regrettable that harsh sentences have been meted out to the former Prime Minister Mr. Deuba and former Minister Mr. Prakash Mansingh, by the RCCC in the Melamchi Water Supply Project case. We have noted that the Asian Development Bank, which is a major financier of the project, have publicly clarified after thorough investigations that they did not find any evidence of collusion or other corrupt fraudulent practices among those involved in the bidding process for the contract.

It has always been our view that reconciliation between democratic and constitutional forces is imperative in order to address the critical issues facing Nepal.

We believe that the decision of the RCCC would only further vitiate the atmosphere and complicate efforts for reconciliation.”