KATHMANDU, June 29 -- As the parliamentary endorsement of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact is delayed further, the United States government has clarified that it cannot indefinitely wait for Nepal to take final decision on the 500 million grants.

The US Embassy in Kathmandu on Monday also said it is Nepal's choice whether to accept the grant. "Accepting this grant is Nepal's choice but the availability of the funding is not open-ended. Tangible, near-term steps in Nepal are necessary to ensure the continued viability of the program," said a press statement issued by the Embassy.

The statement comes in the wake of a section of politicians and others making speculation that the US was exerting pressure on Nepal to accept...