Shimla: The union minister Virbhadra Singh today voiced his fears about the possible burning down of the Bentony heritage building in downtown Shimla by people who he said were desperate to buy this prized land at any cost.
“As chief minister I had started the process of converting this building into a museum and the building gardens into a public park,†said Singh.
“Recently there were rumours that a private party was in the process of buying this building but this was shelved by the government due to a public outcry since this is a heritage building,†Singh said.
“Now I am fearing this building could be burnt down so that the interested party can acquire this land and build a new building in place of the existing monument,†he said.
Located at a commanding place at the edge of Shimla’s famous Mall road the Bentony building until some years ago housed the offices of the state DGP.
In a 20 year career published widely. He has worked for the BBC, AFP, The Statesman, IANS and the Business Standard . Known for his hard hitting writing and occasional off-beat stories. He lives in Shimla.
