New Delhi, Jan 15: Army Chief General V K Singh on Sunday said he has “no clue” of any early resolution of his ongoing age issue, but insisted that the matter be allowed to rest and not become a public debate.
Interacting with reporters on sidelines of Army Day parade in New Delhi, he said there is no requirement for him to comment on the matter as it will get misinterpreted.
Replying to a question whether he is expecting an early resolution of the issue, Gen Singh said, “I have got no clue. I am working as I am.”
On confidence expressed by Defence Minister A.K. Antony in him, regardless of the issue, he said, “I don't want to say anything. He has expressed his confidence and I am following that. Earlier also I have said that I am working for the organisation. I appreciate his confidence and will try to stand up to that.”
On asked to clarify whether he thinks the issue has been settled down by the Defence Ministry, he said, “Why do you want a clarity? I have said this is an issue that should be allowed to rest, and not become public debate. So there is no requirement to give it any spin, or to give it any more wings than what it actually is.”
In reply to a question whether he would accept the government decision, if the age issue is delinked from his tenure in office, the Army Chief said there is no requirement for him to comment on the matter.
“I think I have already said a lot of things on this subject. Actually there is no requirement for me to say anything on this subject. The reason is that, whatever I say will either be misinterpreted or interpreted in a manner in which somebody will write it.”
Gen Singh had two sets of date of birth in the official records -- May 10, 1950 and May 10, 1951, leading to the controversy.
He has been contending that May 10, 1951 should be treated as his actual date of birth as it was mentioned in his matriculation certificate but the Defence Ministry has rejected it as May 10, 1950 is the date entered in his UPSC entrance form for National Defence Academy (NDA).
By the government decision, he will retire on May 31 this year.
Earlier, addressing a press conference here on January 12, Gen Singh had said that the issue has always been that of integrity and honour, and he had tackled it in the organizational interest.
