The government is looking at the possibility of offering a suitable appointment outside of the military to Lt. General Praveen Bakshi, who was superseded as Army Chief, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said on Friday.
The Minister also hinted that the appointment of country’s first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) could happen in the coming year. The Minister was speaking during an interview to a private news channel, NewsX.
When asked if the government would accommodate Lt. Gen. Bakshi as an Ambassador or Governor, Mr. Parrikar said, “We are taking all these aspects into consideration. Once he resumes [office] I'll have a proper discussion and take his view into consideration before taking a decision.”
He also said he doesn’t see a scenario where Lt. Gen. Bakshi would be resigning based their conversation. “I couldn’t get in touch with him when the decision was made... When he called on me, I explained to him the rationale behind the decision and made it very clear that it is not that there is something lacking about him… He sounded convinced… He had indicated to me that he will be taking some rest, probably leave, which probably he couldn’t take earlier,” the Minister said.
Present Army Chief Gen. Dalbir Singh will retire on December 31 and Vice Chief Lt. Gen. Bipin Rawat will take charge on the same day. Lt. Gen. Bakshi who is on leave is expected back in office January 2.
