Kathmandu, Feb. 20 -- The grant paralysed Nepali politics, and nearly brought down a government. After acrimonious wrangling, Parliament three years ago this week ratified the $500 million US project for roads and transmission lines.

Just as the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) started awarding contracts this week for sections of transmission lines, substations, and highways, Donald Trump suddenly pulled the plug.

The Finance Ministry said it had received an email last week from Washington that payments for contracts were 'suspended' by Trump's executive order. It is not clear if the stay is only for 90 days, and the MCC has asked for a waiver for Nepal and other countries.

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