KOCHI: The white paper issued by Greater Cochin Development Authority chairman C.N Mohanan on Monday revealed a huge revenue loss caused to the Authority through implementation of unfeasible projects and illegal land deals initiated during the previous administrative council. The new governing council decided to issue the white paper in view of widespread allegations against land scams and massive corruption during the previous chairman’s term. The document has exposed massive irregularities during the previous administrative council’s regime.
“Former chairman N. Venugopal and the administrative committee can’t run away from the financial loss,” said C.N Mohanan. “Several unfeasible projects with a huge investment like a laser show at Rajendra Maidan and a cage fish farm at Mundamveli resulted in big losses. The Authority will approach the Vigilance, the Revenue Department and the State government seeking action against those responsible for the financial loss,” added the Authority chief.
However, he added that it would take more time to assess the actual financial loss caused to the Authority. In order to recover the alienated assets and belongings of the Authority, a panel of lawyers would be appointed to conduct the cases. There are allegations that many pieces of land and other assets of the agency have been alienated during the previous chairman’s regime. “Though audit reports exposed serious irregularities and deviation from the stated objectives of the agency, the previous committee didn’t act on those reports,” alleged Mr. Mohanan. Attempts will be made to identify the land owned by the Authority and an asset register will be created. It has also been decided to drop the organic vegetable farming initiated during the previous governing council as it is not included in the stated objectives of the agency.
