Army chief going to SC is unfortunate: govt

Government today termed the action of Army chief Gen VK Singh going to the Supreme Court for settlement of his age issue as an "unfortunate development" and "not a healthy precedent".

Describing the matter as sensitive, Minister of State for Defence MM Pallam Raju said, "It is an unfortunate development and it is not a healthy precedent either for the (Defence) Ministry or the armed forces."

He was replying to a question on the sidelines of an NCC function here on whether the government is planning to send the Army Chief on leave or if it is looking at the possibility of appointing a new chief.

Asked if the government is embarrassed with Singh dragging it to the apex court on the date of birth issue, he said, "It is not a matter for public debate. It is an unhealthy precedent. It does not auger well either for the Ministry or the forces."

Singh moved the Supreme Court on Monday challenging the government's rejection of his claim on his date of birth. The Defence Ministry had recently rejected his contention that he was born in 1951 and not in 1950.

In its recent order, the Ministry has taken his date of birth as May 10, 1950, and not May 10, 1951, which the General has claimed as real as per his matriculation certificate.