TCP Minister Defends Hiring Private Lawyers Amid Opposition Scrutiny
Leader of the Opposition Yuri Alemao has formally raised concerns regarding the government’s practice of appointing private lawyers to represent and defend State cases before the High Court. The opposition’s scrutiny centers on the necessity, transparency, and financial implications of bypassing standard government counsels in favor of external legal representation for official state matters.
In response to these questions, Town and Country Planning (TCP) Minister Vishwajit Rane strongly defended the department’s legal strategy. Rane clarified that the decision to engage senior private lawyers is not taken arbitrarily; rather, such appointments are made strictly based on the specific expertise required for complex cases and only after thorough consultation with the Advocate General. He emphasized that bringing in the best legal minds is absolutely essential to effectively safeguard the State’s critical interests in high-stakes litigation.
Addressing the financial aspect of the opposition’s concerns, Minister Rane provided concrete figures to justify the expenditure. He highlighted that the TCP department has successfully generated nearly ₹750 crore in revenue for the state. In comparison to this substantial income, the department has spent less than 1.5% of that revenue on private legal fees. Rane argued that this minor percentage is a necessary and justified investment to ensure maximum revenue generation and comprehensive legal protection for Goa.
