PANJIM: The Mhadei verdict may have come partially in favour of Goa but the battle in the Mhadei Water Tribunal has cost the State a whopping over Rs 9 crore.
As per a right to information reply, the State government has spent exactly Rs 9,28,92,019 only on its advocates so far.
The State engaged a total of 42 advocates in its Mhadei battle against neighbouring state of Karnataka. The professional fees of the advocates cost the State Rs 7,84,29,000 cr and the accommodation charges of these advocates cost Rs 14,70,522 while the travelling expenses accounted for Rs 1,29,92,497.
Nadkarni, who played a key role in the State’s success in MWDT, was the costliest of advocates for Goa as he charged a fee of Rs 3.3 lakh for every hearing and Rs 75,000 for every conference. Nadkarni’s total fees since 2015 amount to a whopping Rs 6,39,34,769 (all inclusive). He represented Goa at 95 hearings and 241 conferences. He travelled to Delhi 92 times and his travelling expenses came to around Rs 37,23,269.
Advocate Dattaprasad Lawande, the former advocate general was paid Rs 1,08,93,838, which included his professional fees of Rs 86,05,000, accomodation charges of Rs 63,500 and Rs 22,25,338 for travelling to Delhi 71 times.
Adv Pankaj Vernekar was paid an all inclusive fees of Rs 38,33,635, which included Rs 29,10,000 as professional fees, Rs 75,215 for accommodation and Rs 8,48,420 travelling allowances to Delhi and back.
Similarly, Adv Salvador Santosh Rebello was paid Rs 52,03,391, which included Rs 29,16,750 as professional fees, Rs 5,47,000 as accommodation allowance and Rs 17,39,641 for travelling. Another Advocate Pratap Venugopal was paid Rs 13,40,000 as fees.
