Sthapit was dismissed citing "incompetence" while Yogeshwor Krishna Parajuli, professor of engineering at Tribhuvan University, was chosen to succeed him for the next five years.
"My dismissal is illegal. I will challenge the decision in the apex court," said Sthapit. He claimed that the government's reluctance to allocate budget and human resource adequately was the main reason behind the KDVA's sluggish performance. "It's the incompetence of the government, not mine," he said.
The Baburam Bhattarai-led government set up the KVDA in April last year to undertake urban planning and development works, giving Sthapit the charge for five years. However, PM Bhattarai, who also heads the Ministry of Urban Development, was not satisfied with Sthapit as he could not deliver as committed.
Sources at the ministries claimed that former Mayor Sthapit did not do any work with the KVDA in the eight months of his involvement.
Soon after being appointed the KVDA chief, Sthapit had said he was glad that the government had recognised his caliber and that he would transform the Valley into a metro city.
Ever since, Sthapit seemed to have lost his enthusiasm. The PM's Office had formed a high-level committee chaired by Secretary Krishna Hari Banskota to probe the KVDA work. The panel recommended his dismissal citing that the Authority had made no headway in the nine months of his appointment.
According to KDVA officials, PM Bhattarai had asked Sthapit to quit and open the way for a new candidate. However, Sthapit had been refusing to resign.
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