Govt names Dalbir Singh Suhag as next army chief

The Defence Ministry on Monday decided to go ahead with the process of appointing the next Army Chief, recommending the name of Vice Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag for the top post.

The Defence Ministry sent its recommendation to the Appointments Committee of Cabinet (ACC) shortly after receiving the go—ahead from the Election Commission, to which the matter had been referred in view of the Model Code of Conduct, highly placed sources told PTI.

The sources said the recommendation had only the name of 59-year-old Lt Gen Suhag, who is the senior-most among the Lt Generals.

It is now for the ACC, headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, to take a call on the recommendation.

Army Chief Gen Bikram Singh will retire on July 31 and as per the tradition, the government announces the name of services chiefs two months before the tenure of the incumbent comes to an end.

The appointment of the next Army Chief had got mired in a controversy as the BJP is strictly opposing it, questioning the “hurry” and insisting that the matter be left to the next government as there is still time left.

Earlier in the day, the EC sent a communication to the Defence Ministry giving the go—ahead.

The EC cited its March 27 order which makes it clear that appointments, promotions, tenders and procurements of defence forces are not covered under the Model Code of Conduct in the ongoing elections as well as any other election in the future, sources said.

The EC, responding to a reference made by the Defence Ministry, said if the government wants, it can proceed with the process to appoint the next Chief of Army Staff, the sources added.