Thiruvananthapuram: The Government is reviewing the performance of the eight development authorities in the State, under plans to improve the performance of local bodies and avoid duplication of effort in planning and implementation of projects.

Sources in the Local Self-Government Department say the development authorities for Kozhikode, Thrissur, Idukki, Kollam and Varkala are likely to be wound up soon. The assets and liabilities of these five agencies will be handed over to the local bodies in the respective districts.

However, the Thiruvananthapuram Development Authority (Trida), Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) and the Goshree Island Development Authority (Gida) in Ernakulam would be retained.

Officials in the Local Self-Government Department say the eight development authorities are together running up a huge bill of Rs.7.87 crore as operational expenses every year. The Varkala Development Authority is yet to become functional.

They say most of the authorities failed to fulfil their mandate to take up development works on their own. "Despite the huge funds spent on staff and infrastructure, there has been no serious work in these offices for years. By redeploying the employees, the local bodies can tide over their staff shortage without imposing additional burden on the Government," an official said.

"The decentralisation process in Kerala has equipped local bodies with powers to plan and implement development activities. At some stage, a parallel agency can lead to an unhealthy competition, impeding development," he added.

The decision to retain Trida is taken in view of the key role played by the agency in land acquisition for various ongoing development works including the City Roads Improvement Scheme.

While the GCDA is also involved in several major development works, Gida is a special purpose vehicle for the development of the Goshree region.

Both the authorities in Ernakulam are flush with funds from the sale of reclaimed land.

While the GCDA has Rs.30 crore in its kitty, the property deals have fetched Gida over Rs.250 crore.

"The Government is trying to work out a scheme to ensure efficient utilisation of the funds at their disposal. Efforts are on to reconstitute Trida, GCDA and Gida and equip them for a meaningful role in the development of the Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi regions."

The Hill Area Development Authority and the Coastal Development Authority set up by the previous UDF Government are also being subjected to a performance review.

The development authorities in Kottayam, Alappuzha, Kasaragod and Palakkad were wound up during the term of the previous Left Democratic Front Government.

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