Defence Ministry examining row over Army chief’s age

Antony was talking to reporters after inaugurating the biennial Air Force Commanders’ Conference here.

The Defence Ministry has already asked for all documents related to the Army chief’s age to examine them and the matter is likely to be placed before the Appointments Committee of Cabinet for a final decision.

The controversy around Army chief’s age resurfaced after the Law Ministry opined that Singh’s correct date of birth is May 10,1951,and not May 10,1950 which he had accepted after controversy about his age came up around 2008 when he was being considered for appointment as Eastern Army Commander.

The Army,for replying to RTI queries about the age of its top-level officers,had through the Defence Ministry sought the Law Ministry’s opinion if the date of birth mentioned in the matriculation certificate could be used for ascertaining the correct age.

“The Law Ministry answered in the affirmative saying the correct age of the Army chief should be May 10,1951 as the matriculation certificate is the valid document for date of birth proof,” Defence Ministry sources had said.

The Army chief’s date of birth varies in records of the Adjutant General’s and Military Secretary’s branches. The AG branch,the official record keeper for salary and pension,has May 10,1951 as Singh’s date of birth but the Military Secretary’s (MS) branch,in charge of promotions and postings,records his date of birth as May 10,1950.

Gen Singh is supposed to retire on June 1,2012 but if this date of birth is accepted,he may get an extension of around one year in office. As per rules,an Army Chief can serve for three years or up to the age of 62,whichever is earlier.

The issue will also determine who will succeed General Singh in office. If he retires in June 2012,Lt Gen Bikram Singh will be the most likely successor and if he gets an extension,Lt Gen K T Parnaik would be the likely successor.