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NEW DELHI: The government seems determined to announce the name of Lt Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag as the next Army chief, holding that it was an "apolitical" appointment based on the well-established principle of seniority.
The defence ministry, in fact, is now giving finishing touches to the "process" of background checks and clearances of the five senior-most officers in the "zone of consideration" to take over from General Bikram Singh on his retirement on July 31, say sources.
In the seniority list, Lt-Gen Suhag (current vice-chief) is followed by Lt-Gens Ashok Singh (Southern Command chief), Philip Campose (Western Command), Sanjeev Madhok (Training Command) and Rajan Bakshi (Central Command). Two other senior Lt-Gens, Anil Chait (integrated defence staff chief) and Sanjiv Chachra (Northern Command) are not in the reckoning because they are slated to retire in May-June.
After Admiral R K Dhowan superseded Vice-Admiral Shekhar Sinha to become the Navy chief on April 17, the 1.18-million strong Army has been all aflutter over whether its own chain of succession would also undergo a change, as was first reported by TOI last week.
It gained currency with BJP warning the UPA regime to not be in a "hurry" to name the new Army chief before demitting office in May, and even complained to the Election Commission (EC). BJP Lok Sabha candidate from Ghaziabad and former Army chief Gen V K Singh, who has made no bones about his repugnance for the Bikram-Suhag line of succession, also jumped in with all guns blazing to further queer the pitch.
But the MoD remains unmoved. It is working to "move" the file for the next Army chief by next week to ensure the political leadership — first defence minister A K Antony and then the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) - gets a fortnight or so "to take a call on the matter", say sources.
The MoD believes the Election Commission (EC) will not hinder the "routine administrative decision" in tune with the long-standing convention to announce the name of a new Service chief at least 60 days in advance.
"The EC's March 27 order gave an omnibus or blanket permission to take decisions on appointments, transfers, contracts and the like. But if required, a stand-alone clearance for Army chief's appointment can also be taken," said a source.
"The Navy chief's appointment was done in unusual circumstances (with Admiral D K Joshi's sudden resignation after a string of warship mishaps). There is no such issue in the Army chief's case, with Lt Gen Suhag's name heading the list of five officers. Over the years, names of Service chiefs have been announced 58 to 89 days in advance," he added.
Govt getting set to announce Lt Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag as next Army chief - The Times of India
The defence ministry, in fact, is now giving finishing touches to the "process" of background checks and clearances of the five senior-most officers in the "zone of consideration" to take over from General Bikram Singh on his retirement on July 31, say sources.
In the seniority list, Lt-Gen Suhag (current vice-chief) is followed by Lt-Gens Ashok Singh (Southern Command chief), Philip Campose (Western Command), Sanjeev Madhok (Training Command) and Rajan Bakshi (Central Command). Two other senior Lt-Gens, Anil Chait (integrated defence staff chief) and Sanjiv Chachra (Northern Command) are not in the reckoning because they are slated to retire in May-June.
After Admiral R K Dhowan superseded Vice-Admiral Shekhar Sinha to become the Navy chief on April 17, the 1.18-million strong Army has been all aflutter over whether its own chain of succession would also undergo a change, as was first reported by TOI last week.
It gained currency with BJP warning the UPA regime to not be in a "hurry" to name the new Army chief before demitting office in May, and even complained to the Election Commission (EC). BJP Lok Sabha candidate from Ghaziabad and former Army chief Gen V K Singh, who has made no bones about his repugnance for the Bikram-Suhag line of succession, also jumped in with all guns blazing to further queer the pitch.
But the MoD remains unmoved. It is working to "move" the file for the next Army chief by next week to ensure the political leadership — first defence minister A K Antony and then the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) - gets a fortnight or so "to take a call on the matter", say sources.
The MoD believes the Election Commission (EC) will not hinder the "routine administrative decision" in tune with the long-standing convention to announce the name of a new Service chief at least 60 days in advance.
"The EC's March 27 order gave an omnibus or blanket permission to take decisions on appointments, transfers, contracts and the like. But if required, a stand-alone clearance for Army chief's appointment can also be taken," said a source.
"The Navy chief's appointment was done in unusual circumstances (with Admiral D K Joshi's sudden resignation after a string of warship mishaps). There is no such issue in the Army chief's case, with Lt Gen Suhag's name heading the list of five officers. Over the years, names of Service chiefs have been announced 58 to 89 days in advance," he added.
Govt getting set to announce Lt Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag as next Army chief - The Times of India
