KATHMANDU: Lawmakers have strongly criticized the recent late-night agreement between the government and transport entrepreneurs, calling it a step back toward reviving the banned syndicate system in Nepal’s public transportation sector.

Speaking at the Infrastructure Development Committee on Tuesday, MPs Prakash Jwala and Madhav Sapkota questioned both the content and the process of the agreement.

Jwala denounced the move, saying, “We dismantled the syndicate earlier, but it’s being brought back again. This is a major setback.”

He praised Gandaki Province for allowing competition and highlighted the convenience ride-sharing services have brought to commuters. “People want choices. This deal harms the public,” he said.

Sapkota, on the other hand, raised questions about the manner in which the agreement was reached. “What exactly was discussed during those late-night talks? Was it just to solve an immediate crisis or a part of long-term planning?” he asked.

He also pointed out confusion among stakeholders, saying, “One entrepreneur says the talks ended, another says they’re ongoing. What kind of process is this?”

Both MPs demanded transparency and accountability from the government, warning that the agreement, if left unchallenged, could undermine public interest and obstruct progress in modernizing Nepal’s transport sector.