Campaign to defame me: Virbhadra
SHIMLA, Dec 23 — The Congress leader, Mr Virbhadra Singh, has alleged that the CBI inquiry against him was part of a "vilification" campaign launched against him by the HVC chief, Mr Sukh Ram, and his associates.

Man gets life term

CM reviews fire safety measures
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Dec 23 — The Chief Minister, Mr P.K. Dhumal, has ordered the Fire Department to hold drills and mock exercises daily to ensure the safety of historic buildings in the state.

Mr Dhumal held a high-level meeting today to review the fire safety arrangements in the town. Officers of the fire services, irrigation, municipal corporation, police and district administration were present at the meeting.

The meeting was held in connection with yesterday's fire at "Walker Hospital".

He said fire safety measures should be ensured to avert any mishap.

Meanwhile, preliminary reports have revealed that much of the damage to the Military Hospital could have been prevented, if the officials had kept the nearby fire hydrant operational. It took almost an hour to remove the rubble covering the key hole of the hydrant and by that time the entire building was engulfed in flames.

The military authorities had reportedly asked PWD men on a number of occasions not to throw rubble of the dental college under construction on the slopes where the fire hydrant was located, but without any effect.

The fire service in the state is in a shambles and there has hardly been an incident where the department has handled the situation, effectively.

It is alleged that the concept of regular drills by the firemen is non-existent and several fire officials were not even aware of the exact location of the fire hydrants.

A recent magisterial report regarding the fire incidents in Chamba had pointed out that domestic water connections were given out of the pipes laid exclusively for the fire hydrants. On several occasions, the fire tenders had to be taken over long to be refilled with water from natural sources.

Campaign to defame me: Virbhadra
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Dec 23 — The Congress leader, Mr Virbhadra Singh, has alleged that the CBI inquiry against him was part of a "vilification" campaign launched against him by the HVC chief, Mr Sukh Ram, and his associates.

In a statement here today, Mr Virbhadra Singh said news had appeared in a section of the Press regarding the holding of a preliminary inquiry against him in certain matters arising out of the "so-called" allegations made against him by Mr Sukh Ram, Mr Kewal Ram Chauhan and others belonging to the Himachal Vikas Congress.

He said he had repeatedly stated that these allegations were "false, frivolous, scandalous and politically motivated with a view to tarnishing my image, and I strongly reiterate the same".

College site move stirs up controversy
From Bijender Sharma

JWALAMUKHI: The plan by the Irrigation and Public Health Minister, Mr Ramesh Choudhary, the local MLA, to open a degree college on the premises of Yatri Niwas, the HPTDC tourist complex, has kicked up a row.

According to his recent announcement the proposed degree college would start from the next academic session with the financial assistance from the Jwalamukhi Temple trust. A 25-member high-level committee has been constituted for this purpose.

The minister's controversial decision has strongly been opposed by various sections of the society and issue now has taken political overtone.

Congress leader Kishan Parmar is very vocal on the issue and said this was a direct attempt on the religious freedom and the minister would not be allowed to misuse temple funds or to convert the Yatri Niwas to a degree college. He threatened to launch an agitation. He alleged that the minister was not interested in opening a degree college. It was a ruse to gain political mileage.

As far back as in 1992 when President's rule was imposed on the state, the herculean efforts of the then Adviser, Mr Pramod Srivastva, for the beautification of the temple town led to the construction of Yatri Niwas.

Enquiries made by this correspondent, reveals that over than 1,000 devotees visit the town daily and during the annual three fairs, lakhs of pilgrims throng the temple. The towns six sarais, five hotels and 15 guest houses were providing facilities to devotees. Under the HPTDC management, Yatri Niwas has been doing good business. It is popular among the middle class.

If a college was established on the temple premises, the peace in the area would be disturbed. Besides, an additional burden would be imposed on the temple coffers. People say that use of temple funds for the college was not good for the temple's viability. Already, a number of development works could not be started due to lack of finance.

Ex-SDM held for forgery
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Dec 23 — The police today arrested three persons allegedly involved in a land record tampering scandal at Kotkhai in the district.

The three were arrested after their applications for anticipatory bail were rejected by the sessions court.

A retired SDM and a kanungo, are among those arrested.

Man gets life term
From Our Correspondent

SUNDERNAGAR, Dec 23 — In a significant judgement delivered yesterday, the Additional Sessions Judge, Mandi division, has convicted Raj Kumar of Tarna hills (Mandi) and sentenced him to undergo rigorous imprisonment for life and imposed a fine of Rs 5,000 on him under Section 302 IPC and further sentenced him to undergo rigorous imprisonment for seven years for an offence under Section 307, IPC.

The convict had set his sister-in-law and sister on fire on October 23. His sister succumbed to burns at the Zonal Hospital.