GCDA taking steps to ensure transparency
The Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) will form a special task force to update the land holdings of the agency to get a complete idea on the land owned by it.
Published: 29th December 2016 01:38 AM | Last Updated: 29th December 2016 04:24 AM | A+A A-
KOCHI: The Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) will form a special task force to update the land holdings of the agency to get a complete idea on the land owned by it. Announcing the decision here on Wednesday, newly appointed chairman of GCDA C N Mohanan said that a white paper will be published soon to help the public assess the functioning and financial status of the authority.
“This will bring in more transparency and will ensure that the public also get a say in the functioning of GCDA,” he said.
Pointing out that irregularities were found in the audit report prepared during the term of the previous council, Mohanan said that stringent action will be taken against those who supported the land swapping deal. “If irregularities are proved in the inquiry, the authority will initiate legal proceedings against those whom the charges are proven.
We have already requested the support of the government, Vigilance Department, Revenue Department and the police for immediate action in this regard. The land swap for the Bund Road involving 20 cents of prime land at Panampilly Nagar is one such a case, for instance,” he added.
He said that as per the allegations, various plots owned by GCDA had been sold without the approval of the Cabinet and the LSG Department. “Though it is mandatory to obtain the Cabinet nod, in our preliminary investigation, it was found out that no such approval was received,” he said.
Regarding the controversies regarding the arrears due to the agency for the ISL football matches held here last month, Mohanan said that the amount can be recovered as the promoters of the event had already given a security deposit of Rs 25 lakh to the GCDA.
