Defence Ministry declines to entertain Lt. Gen. Panag plea against transfer

The Defence Ministry has declined to entertain Lt. General H S Panags plea to be retained as Commander-in-Chief of the vital Northern Command and cancel the order transferring him to head the Lucknow-based Central Command.

New Delhi, Feb.25 : The Defence Ministry has declined to entertain Lt. General H S Panag's plea to be retained as Commander-in-Chief of the vital Northern Command and cancel the order transferring him to head the Lucknow-based Central Command.

Lt Gen Panag had approached Defence Minister A K Antony to negate the transfer order.

To back his plea, Lt. Gen. Panag had said that as Northern Army Commander he was overseeing inquiries into some purchases made when the present Army Chief Gen Deepak Kapoor was heading the Northern Command and that his shifting could prejudice the investigations.

Army sources said Lt. Gen. Panag move was seen as an outcome of a spat with the Army Chief.

The sources said the Defence Minister by not entertaining Panag's plea has sent strong signals that no discontent or controversy would be encouraged at any level.

Panag will have to take over his new appointment by the end of this month after incumbent Central Army Commander Lt. Gen. O P Nanadrajog retires on February 29, 2008.

Meanwhile, Lt. Gen. P C Bharadawaj, presently commanding the Leh based 14 Corps, has been made the New Army Northern Army Commander.

Lt. Gen. V K Singh of the Armored Corps, who is in line to become the next army Chief after Gen. Kapoor, was named as the new General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Command.

Major Gen. J P Singh, currently Deputy Commandant of the Armored School and Centre will take over as Corp Commanders of the Second Strike Corps based in Punjab.

Maj. Gen. V K Ahluwalia has been made Commander of the Leh-based 14 corp.

ANI