The ministry deemed Lama, who was nominated on June 10, 2011 by the cabinet as member before appointing him the Member Secretary, to have been assuming office beyond his tenure. Lama was nominated after six board members including the-then Member Secretary Hari Babu Chaudhary resigned following a change in government. Chaudhary led NSC was nominated on September 11, 2009 for a four-year tenure.

Minister Purushottam Poudel cited Sports Development Act 2048 BS “which states the tenure of those members nominated to fill the vacancy will be counted from the first date of their predecessors’ nomination, i.e, on June 10, 2011.”

Under the provision, the tenure of Lama and that of five other members ended on September 10, 2013, said minister Poudel. The other five members included Indra Bahadur Thing, Number Sherpa, Pahal Singh Gharti Magar, Kusum Kumari Shrestha and Mukunda Pahari. Poudel said it was a ministry level decision but has been done with cabinet approval.

Lama termed the decision as “against the law”. “A minister alone cannot decide on matters that was taken by the cabinet,” said Lama adding that once he receives the official letter he will announce his next step through a press conference on Sunday.

“From what I am hearing now, the decision to oust me has been based on some (Sports Development) Acts. It (the decision) has completely ignored my appointment letter and the cabinet mandate.”

Lama said as soon as he receives the letter from the ministry, he will consult with legal experts and will decide on which course to take.