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Army blamed for age row
Defence minister A K Antony and Army chief General VK Singh have both blamed the army for the mess on Gen Singh’s date of birth. They said the army sat on the problem for 36 years and it should never have been left to fester.
Speaking on the sidelines of a function in New Delhi, Antony said he does not see the controversy as a “civil-military conflict”, and that people responsible for maintaining the army records will take the decision on General Singh’s date of birth.
“It’s been 36 years but the government was not in the picture. It was only known to the army. In 2006, the army noticed two dates of birth; then it went to the level of army chief in 2006. The government of that day took a decision and recommended it to the army. Where is the civil-military controversy? In 2008, it was another army chief, and then the recommendation was sent to the government and the government accepted that,” he said. “Now it’s gone beyond the government. Let’s wait for the Supreme Court decision. That will be final and nobody can question that.”
“Yes, this problem has been within the Army. It shouldn’t have happened, but has continued for 36 years,” Gen VK Singh said, reacting to the defence minister’s statement. “There was a problem in coordination. Now it is sorted out, there is no conflict with (MoD). This problem shall never occur again. Branch which is responsible for maintaining service records has been given full responsibility and it is the one which co-ordinates,” Gen Singh said.
On the MoD’s recent communication to the Adjutant General to branch correct the army chief’s date of birth, Gen Singh said the AG branch was studying the matter and will reply shortly. “This issue has been blown up. It takes time to study the letter. It is not like a pressing a button. Things take their own course.’’
Defence minister A K Antony and Army chief General VK Singh have both blamed the army for the mess on Gen Singh’s date of birth. They said the army sat on the problem for 36 years and it should never have been left to fester.
Speaking on the sidelines of a function in New Delhi, Antony said he does not see the controversy as a “civil-military conflict”, and that people responsible for maintaining the army records will take the decision on General Singh’s date of birth.
“It’s been 36 years but the government was not in the picture. It was only known to the army. In 2006, the army noticed two dates of birth; then it went to the level of army chief in 2006. The government of that day took a decision and recommended it to the army. Where is the civil-military controversy? In 2008, it was another army chief, and then the recommendation was sent to the government and the government accepted that,” he said. “Now it’s gone beyond the government. Let’s wait for the Supreme Court decision. That will be final and nobody can question that.”
“Yes, this problem has been within the Army. It shouldn’t have happened, but has continued for 36 years,” Gen VK Singh said, reacting to the defence minister’s statement. “There was a problem in coordination. Now it is sorted out, there is no conflict with (MoD). This problem shall never occur again. Branch which is responsible for maintaining service records has been given full responsibility and it is the one which co-ordinates,” Gen Singh said.
On the MoD’s recent communication to the Adjutant General to branch correct the army chief’s date of birth, Gen Singh said the AG branch was studying the matter and will reply shortly. “This issue has been blown up. It takes time to study the letter. It is not like a pressing a button. Things take their own course.’’
