What's the Real Age of Our Army Chief?

By siliconindia   |   Friday, 06 January 2012, 00:25 IST
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Bangalore: The tussle at the top of the army continues as Army Chief VK Singh’s age debate has found no conclusion yet. While the bureaucrats call it a ‘technical’ matter, the issue has become a matter of political interest. Many questions have been raised on the correctness of the army chief taking the issue to the Prime Minister and if the age controversy has affected the morale of the army?

There seems to be a battle between the military and the joint army of bureaucrats & politicians. “The army as an institution has its image hurt over an age issue. The government’s action is wrong,” said Lt General Raj Kadyan in a debate on CNN-IBN. Retired Major General Satbir Singh was of the opinion that defense forces are not being treated properly and many in the debate panel said politicians do not like a tough and honest General at the top.

On the other hand, the Defense Ministry is already on the lookout for the next Army chief in a bid to avoid any confusion in case General Singh quits or the court rejects his plea before his official tenure comes to an end. It is noted that in normal circumstances, the name of the new chief is announced two months before the incumbent retires.

As the army men continue to blame the bureaucracy, TSR Subramanian, the former cabinet secretary was quoted saying to CNN IBN that “it is a technical issue and that the government, politics and bureaucracy should not be brought into it.” He also said that VK Singh may fight in court but there are chances that he may not win and if he wins then the army may lose.



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