Goa, April 11 -- In a major setback to the state exchequer, nearly Rs.1.5 crore spent on preparations for the Ponda Assembly by-election has reportedly gone to waste after the Bombay High Court stayed the poll just hours before voting.

With the entire election machinery already in place, the sudden halt has raised concerns over financial losses and possible administrative lapses. Arrangements including polling personnel deployment, logistics, and infrastructure had been completed when the stay order came into effect.

Officials indicated that the Rs.1.5 crore figure is only a preliminary estimate, cautioning that the final expenditure could increase once all associated costs are fully calculated.

The unexpected development has sparked d...