Emphasising that due procedures were followed in the appointment of new army chief, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Tuesday said that if seniority was the only criteria, even computers would have picked a service chief based on date of birth.
Responding to a question on whether the government intends to go in for deep selection and setting aside seniority principle, he said “First of all, I do not know where there is principle of seniority. There is a procedure set wherein all commanders are verified for their performance. I can assure you that those who were considered were all good. Too good and probably that is the reason why we could not take decision early.”
The government has elected General Bipin Rawat as the new army chief in December superseding Eastern Army Commander Lt. Gen. Praveen Bakshi and Southern Army Commander Lt. Gen. P. M. Hariz.
Adding that all candidates were good, Parrikar said that the circumstances required the selection of army chief.
“There would be no requirement of any Raksha Mantri, there would no requirement of Cabinet Committee on Appointment because then it is a computer job. Date of birth decides who becomes General,” he said.
