SANKHALI: Additional Solicitor General of India Atmaram Nadkarni, appearing for state of Goa before the Mhadei Water Dispute Tribunal, on Wednesday, pointed out that the affidavit of witness of the state of Karnataka is not even verified and the report was not signed by the witness.
The objection was upheld by the tribunal upon Karnataka counsel pleading for time. The tribunal directed Karnataka to verify the affidavit and sign the report.
During cross-examination of the witness of state of Karnataka, the witness was confronted with MOEF memorandum where he is appointed on panel of experts to assess the carrying capacity of the projects of Karnataka state.
The witness was asked if he has informed the MOEF regarding his conflict of interest to which the witness could not give satisfactory answers. The witness will be further cross-examined on Thursday.
Earlier on Tuesday, Nadkarni defended the requirement of Mhadei water for Goa not only for drinking, but also for navigation, industrial, flow in wildlife sanctuary and other needs.
Nadkarni, who represents state of Goa along with his team, was present during the hearing and he intervened to object important questions and the state of Goa has also amended statement of claim and demanded more water stating that the requirements are for next 20 years.
Karnataka cross-examined Goa witness before the tribunal, however, Maharashtra declined to ask any questions.
During the hearing, the cross-examination of Goa’s witness and hydrology expert Chetan Pandit was done. Pandit had criticised the central water commission data on which Karnataka is relying on, to seek diversion of water from the Mhadei basin and the tribunal had permitted Goa to submit evidence on other issues raised by this witness.
Atmaram Nadkarni, senior counsel led the hearing with Dattaprasad Lawande, Pankaj Vernekar, Santosh Rebello, Nikita Nadkarni, Rajesh Shivolkar, Aurobindo Pereira, Amir Jamadar, Ruchira Gupta.