CCS meets on Army Chief DoB?
A meeting of the high-level Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) took place in the capital on Tuesday amid speculation that the date of birth (DoB) controversy involving Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen. V.K. Singh as well as the MMRCA (combat aircraft) mega deal for the Indian Air Force was discussed.
The CCS meeting is significant in view of the COAS petitioning the Supreme Court against the government’s decision to regard May 10, 1950, as his DoB instead of May 10, 1951. Sources said various options before the government on the future course of action were discussed and this could have included discussions on who will be Gen. Singh’s successor as COAS.
While Gen. V.K. Singh is slated to retire on May 31 this year, speculation is rife that the government could announce the name of his successor soon. Eastern Command chief Lt. Gen. Bikram Singh is regarded as the frontrunner to be the next COAS. The government has so far maintained that it has acted with “restraint and patience”, an indication that is not inclined to take any action against the COAS such as dismissal.
Two defence deals, including the big-ticket deal for the acquisition of 126 MMRCA (combat) aircraft for the Indian Air Force are also likely to be announced soon amid speculation that these too could have been discussed at Tuesday’s CCS meeting.
The French Dassault company — manufacturer of the Rafale — and the European (German, British, Italian, Spanish) EADS Eurofighter — manufacturer of the Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft — are the two only contenders now left.
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