The Central government’s decision to withdraw the permission
granted to Assistant Solicitor General Atmaram
Nadkarni to appear for Goa at the Mhadei Water Dispute
Tribunal comes as a huge setback to the State which is awaiting
the final judgement from the tribunal.
The letter issued by the Ministry of Law and Justice states
that it skipped the attention of the Central government that it
was an inter-state water dispute between Goa and Karnataka,
and further stated that it would be unfair for a law officer of the
Union of India to represent one state. This is a huge oversight
which will have major ramifications as the water tribunal’s final
order is awaited after it had rejected Karnataka’s claim for
7.56 tmcft of water from the river basin. Nadkarni has not only
been representing the State, but also has carried out extensive
research in the case over a long period of time.
Goa has not acted unilaterally in continuing with Nadkarni
but had sought prior permission from the Centre. At the time
of granting an okay, the Centre was fully aware that its officer
is representing his state. A reversal of decision after the Karnataka
political leaders sought withdrawal of the permission
is not fair to Goa. Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar should
take up the issue with the Prime Minister and express serious
displeasure and objection to this move.
