Lt Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag as the next Army Chief

With the current Chief of Staff Gen Bikram Singh who is due to retire on July 31, a top defense ministry official has confirmed that Lt. Gen. Dalbir Singh Suhag, who is currently the Vice Chief of Army Staff, has been recommended for the top post and that he would become Army Chief-designate. This would be after an approval from the Appointments Committee of Cabinet .

This decision was pending as the BJP had vehemently opposed this move stating the EC Model Code of Conduct was in place and it was not appropriate to appoint anyone so fast. After which the UPA government referred the matter to the EC last month, saying a decision would be taken only after getting its nod. With the EC’s clearance to go ahead with the process as the model code is not applicable to defense matters and service appointments in place, the ACC headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is set to clear Lt Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag name for the next Army Chief post.