Government on Wednesday termed the action of Army chief Gen V K Singh going to the Supreme Court for the settlement of his age issue as an unhealthy precedent and unfortunate development.
Minister of state for Defence M.M Pallam Raju while describing the matter as a sensitive one said that it is a unhealthy precedent and unfortunate development either for the defence ministry or for the armed forces. He also added that this is not a matter for public debate.
Gen Singh moved the Supreme Court challenging the government's action of rejecting his claim on his date of birth.
The Defence Minister recently rejected his contention that he was born in 1951 and not in 1950.
In the 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 true as per his matriculation certificate.
Government had on Tuesday filed a caveat petition in the Supreme Court requesting it to be heard before passing any order on the writ petition filed by Gen Singh.
Defence Minister A K Antony and Law Minister Salman Khurshid had held a meeting yesterday with the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to discuss the pros and cons of the Army Chief's action. But there was no word on what the government's strategy would be.
However there was a speculation that Gen Singh may be asked to proceed on leave pending the Apex Court's view on his petition. But there was no confirmation of such a course from the Ministry.
Reported by
AR
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