Army most secular institution: Chief

Refusing to comment on the inquiry by Italian prosecutors on allegation of corruption against state-backed defence major Finmeccanica that had cast a cloud over the multi-million dollar deal that the company signed with India for 12 helicopters for VVIPs,Singh said: For this issue,you must ask the ministry. I have nothing to say.

Speaking at the ex-servicemen rally organised by the Indian Ex-Servicemen League,the Army Chief announced that Defence Minister A K Antony is in agreement with the principle of one rank one pension demand of the ex-servicemen and that the same should be implemented soon. For implementing this,we need Rs 1,300 crore. One section of the government and the Defence Minister agree with our demands. He the minister has assured us all support but then decisions have to pass through various layers of the government and take time to be implemented, said Singh.

Media putting own concoction to everything

While commenting on President Pratibha Patils remark made to The Sunday Express in an interview where she said the perceived standoff between the Army Chief and the government should not have happened8230;it should have been handled in a disciplined manner,Singh said: What the President said is known to only two persons the President and the person who conducted this interview. A section of the media is putting its own concoction to everything.