New Army Chief of India likely to be announced today 13 may 2014

The name of Vice Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag, has been recommended for the top post. The Defence Ministry sent its recommendation to the Appointments Committee of Cabinet (ACC) shortly after receiving the go-ahead from the Election Commission, sources said.

Sources said the recommendation had only the name of 59-year-old Lt Gen Suhag, who is the senior most among the Lt Generals.
Army Chief General Bikram Singh will retire on July 31 and as per the tradition, the government announces the name of services chiefs two months before the tenure of the incumbent comes to an end.

The appointment of the next Army Chief had got mired into a controversy as BJP is strictly opposing it, questioning the ‘hurry’ and insisting that the matter be left to the next government as there is still time left.

Senior Congress leaders, including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and party president Sonia Gandhi, reportedly decided to appoint the next Army Chief during a party core group meeting last evening.

The Election Commission on Monday gave the go-ahead to the Defence Ministry to initiate the process of appointing the next Army Chief.

The Election Commission cited its March 27 order which makes it clear that appointments, promotions, tenders and procurements of defence forces are not covered under the Model Code of Conduct in the ongoing elections as well as any other election in the future, sources said.
  
The Election Commission, responding to a reference made by the Defence Ministry, said if the government wants, it can proceed with the process to appoint the next Chief of Army Staff, sources added.