Chief of the Army Staff General V.K. Singh has once again petitioned the government, seeking re-examination on determination of his year of birth, utilising the statutory complaint mechanism. He filed the complaint with Defence Minister A.K. Antony under the Army Act on Friday last to decide on the year of birth on the basis of merit and available evidence.
Controversy over Gen. Singh's year of birth has been going on for the last few months, after he produced school-leaving records that he was born on May 10, 1951 and not as recorded in the Military Secretary (MS) branch, one year ahead.
While the MS branch looks after promotion and postings, the Adjutant General branch, the official record keep for salary and pension, has it as May 10, 1951. The Defence Ministry, on July 22, decided to fix his date of birth as May 10, 1950 on the basis of opinion tendered by the Attorney-General and the Union Law Ministry. The Ministry also took into account that on his promotions – as Corps Commander, Army Commander and Chief of the Army Staff – the Appointments Committee of Cabinet took 1950 as the year of birth.
Central to the issue is the line of succession, as Gen. Singh is slated to retire on June 1, 2012, but if pushed back by a year, the extension would alter it.
