New Delhi: In an unusual move in the midst of the Lok Sabha elections, the government on Sunday gave a one-month extension to Army Chief General Manoj Pandey and now he will remain in this post till June 30. General Pandey was to retire on May 31. The Defense Ministry said in a statement that the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved a one-month extension of General Pandey's service. The first such example was seen about five decades ago i.e. in the early 1970s, when the then Indira Gandhi government extended the service period of (then) Army Chief General GG Bewar for one year. General Pandey joined the 'Corps of Engineers' (The Bombay Sappers) in December 1982. He is an alumnus of the National Defense Academy.
What did the Defense Ministry say?
According to military experts, in view of the extension given to General Bewoor, the then Lieutenant General Prem Bhagat retired without becoming the Army Chief, whereas he (General Bewoor) was to be appointed to the top post after him. The Defense Ministry said in a statement, 'Under Rule 16A (4) of the Army Rules, 1954, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has given a one-month extension to Army Chief General Manoj C Pandey from his retirement date (31 May) to 30 June.'
Who is the senior officer after General Pandey?
Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi, who is currently serving as the 'Vice Chief of Army Staff', is the most senior officer after General Pandey. The most senior officer after Lieutenant General Dwivedi is Lieutenant General Ajay Kumar Singh who is the Southern Army Commander. Both Army officers, Lieutenant General Dwivedi and Lieutenant General Singh are classmates of the same class. Lieutenant General Dwivedi has extensive operational experience on the borders with China and Pakistan. He replaced Lieutenant General MV Suchindra Kumar in February and took over as the Vice Army Chief.
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