M A I N   N E W S

Controversy brews over next Army Chief
KV Prasad
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 19
A fresh controversy appears to be in the making over the appointment of another four-star general with the BJP questioning the authority of the outgoing Manmohan Singh government to choose the successor of Army Chief General Bikram Singh, who is retiring this July.

The appointment of Admiral RK Dhowan as Navy Chief has already triggered a row. Senior most Admiral Shekhar Sinha, who was superseded by Dhowan, has put in his papers in protest.

As per norms, a successor to a service Chief is announced at least 60 days in advance, a period that allows the Chief-designate to prepare for taking over the reins. The appointment of current Chief of Army Staff General Bikram Singh was made three months ahead of the scheduled retirement of then Army Chief General Vijay Kumar Singh, who was embroiled in age dispute with the government.

Former Defence Secretary Vijay Singh said it will be well within the norms to announce the new Chief now and even the Election Commission places no restrictions on such appointments. Recently, with the Model Code of Conduct in place, the Ministry of Defence sought clearance from the poll body before going ahead with the appointment of the new Navy Chief following the sudden resignation of Admiral DK Joshi on February 26.

As on date, Vice Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Dalbir Singh Suhag is next in line to take over the reins of the Army when Gen Bikram Singh hangs up his boots on July 31.

Gen VK Singh as the service chief had imposed a DV (discipline and vigilance) promotion ban on Lt Gen Suhag just before retiring in 2012. The ban was imposed on the grounds that he had “abdicated responsibility” while handling an intelligence operation in a unit under his command in the North-East. The ban was revoked by Gen Bikram Singh following which Gen Suhag got his promotion.

Gen VK Singh, who is now contesting from the Ghaziabad Lok Sabha segment on the BJP ticket, said the norms are being bypassed while making appointments.

“Following the DV ban (in Suhag’s case), a court martial found all guilty even though the punishment did not commensurate the charge,” said VK Singh.

Besides Lt Gen Suhag, other generals in the seniority list include Lt Gen Anil Chait, serving as the Chief of Integrated Defence Staff and Lt Gen Ashok Singh, who is married to Gen VK Singh’s daughter. Lt Gen Chait is retiring in July.

Suhag’s elevation will ruffle feathers

• Lt Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag is next in line to take over the reins of the Army when General Bikram Singh hangs up his boots on July 31
• There are reports that MoD has already initiated the process of appointing Lt Gen Suhag as the next Army Chief
• Gen VK Singh, who imposed a promotion ban on Suhag, claims the norms are being bypassed while making appointments