Four senior posts in Army fall vacant

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 1

Four senior posts in the Army fell vacant yesterday and there have been no appointments to replace them. Among the vacant posts are that of the Director General Military Intelligence (DGMI), and the Adjutant General (AG).

Four Lieutenant General-rank officers retired yesterday, leaving a void. The Ministry of Defence is yet to take a decision on their replacement or take a call on the pending promotions of Major Generals to Lt Generals — the promotion boards are pending approval for the past four months.

Among the retirees were Deputy Chief of Army Staff (DCOAS) Lt Gen Subrata Saha, Director General (DG) Rashtriya Rifles Lt Gen GS Chandel, DG Military Training Lt Gen AL Chavan and the Adjutant General Lt Gen RK Sharma.

Lt Gen SK Patyal, the DGMI, has been moved as the new Deputy Chief, replacing Lt Gen Saha. There has been no officer appointed as DGMI, leaving a vacancy. Lt Gen Patyal was Commander of the Leh-based 14 Corps before taking over as the DGMI.

Other than the appointment of Lt Gen Patyal, no other replacement has been announced. Apart from the four Lt Generals, 11 Maj General-rank officers have also retired.

Sources said the promotions of Maj Generals will ensure movement and appointments. In the armed forces, the top vacancies are few and all ranks of Colonel, Brigadier, Maj General and Lt General are selection posts. Those not selected for the next ranks retire as per the age-level fixed for the rank, hence leaving very little choice.