Team Herald
PANJIM: The Mhadei matter was called out on Wednesday, and A K Bajaj, witness for Karnataka was cross examined by Additional Solicitor General of India, Atmaram N S Nadkarni, who is appearing as lead Senior Counsel for Goa.
Bajaj was asked if the Karnataka projects would have any impact on Goa, to which he admitted they would have an impact. Bajaj was asked as to what is his expertise in hydrology and admitted he is not an expert in hydrology and that his degree is in Mechanical Engineering.
He was asked as to whether the Karnataka projects would have any effect on the Ganjim water drinking project and on Opa water works in Goa.
but was not able to point out the location of the projects. Bajaj was thereafter confronted with Goa’s Statement of Case wherein the State has pleaded that the Opa water works would be clearly affected by the projects. He was further asked whether while preparing his report he has taken into consideration the other needs of Goa namely forest, wildlife, environment, irrigation, fisheries, salinity etc, to which he gave a very vague answer.
Another facet which requires attention is that the Counsel Maharashtra chose not to cross examine Karnataka witness A K Gosain, but, earlier had cross examined the Goa witness, clearly showing the conspiracy and nexus between Maharashtra and Karnataka.
