Cong.(I) demands statement on Bharatpur fire

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, MAY 1. The Congress(I) today demanded that the Union Government make a statement in Parliament over the devastating fire that broke out at the Bharatpur Ammunition Depot last Friday. It is estimated that the fire destroyed nearly 10,000 tonnes of ammunition.

The AICC spokesperson, Mr. Ajit Jogi, told newspersons this afternoon that since the two Houses were to resume sittings after May Day, it was only appropriate that the Defence Minister, Mr. George Fernandes, apprise the Parliament of the details of the accident. He also hoped the inquiry ordered by the Indian Army would help ascertain the cause of the fire.

Nonetheless, Mr. Jogi was of the view that it was about time the Government and Defence authorities reviewed the current procedures for ammunition depots.

On an unrelated matter, Mr. Jogi clarified that the Congress(I) was prepared to settle the arrears recoverable from the former party president, Mr. P. V. Narasimha Rao, for use of the Indian Air Force aircraft for personal and political reasons. The AICC had requested the Government to allow the party to stagger its payments over a period of time, and was awaiting a reply.

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