New Delhi:
Speaking on the controversy over his age, Army Chief General VK Singh said today that "the issue is that of integrity and honour." The General added that the matter has always been tackled by him in the "organisational interest."
Refusing make any further comments, General Singh said, "I will desist from answering anything on this. It is vitiating the atmosphere. Many have given it a vicious spin." He was speaking at a press conference in Delhi.
Over the last few months, the General has asked the government to accept that he was born in 1951 and not 1950. His year of birth would eventually decide when he should retire. Both dates are cited on different records held by the Army. The government has so far said that though it does not question the General's claims, the documents that it must refer to in a case like this declare 1950 as his year of birth.
But even as the Army struggles to deal with the issue of when General Singh should retire, a new complication has arisen over who should succeed him. The Jammu and Kashmir High Court has taken cognizance of a decade-old alleged fake encounter case involving Lieutenant General Bikram Singh, the top contender for the post of the next Army chief. The government plans for the General VK Singh to retire by the end of May. That would make Lieutenant General Bikram Singh the Army's senior-most officer. If the court case impedes upon his promotion to Army chief, next in line is Lt. General KT Parnaik.
When asked about this development, General VK Singh said today, "A report is available and made available to the people concerned. The case is sub-judice. It is not proper for me to comment."
Refusing make any further comments, General Singh said, "I will desist from answering anything on this. It is vitiating the atmosphere. Many have given it a vicious spin." He was speaking at a press conference in Delhi.
Over the last few months, the General has asked the government to accept that he was born in 1951 and not 1950. His year of birth would eventually decide when he should retire. Both dates are cited on different records held by the Army. The government has so far said that though it does not question the General's claims, the documents that it must refer to in a case like this declare 1950 as his year of birth.
But even as the Army struggles to deal with the issue of when General Singh should retire, a new complication has arisen over who should succeed him. The Jammu and Kashmir High Court has taken cognizance of a decade-old alleged fake encounter case involving Lieutenant General Bikram Singh, the top contender for the post of the next Army chief. The government plans for the General VK Singh to retire by the end of May. That would make Lieutenant General Bikram Singh the Army's senior-most officer. If the court case impedes upon his promotion to Army chief, next in line is Lt. General KT Parnaik.
When asked about this development, General VK Singh said today, "A report is available and made available to the people concerned. The case is sub-judice. It is not proper for me to comment."
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