Antony wants row closed on army chief's age

NEW DELHI: Defence Minister A.K. Antony Monday expressed happiness that the controversy over Indian Army chief General V.K. Singh's age had been resolved and hoped that everyone would "work together to strengthen national security".

"I am very happy this controversy is over," Antony told reporters on the sidelines of the Asian Security Conference.

"It is my request to all my colleagues and all of you (the media) to please close this chapter and let us work together to strengthen national security," Antony said.

On Feb 10, a Supreme Court bench of Justice R.M. Lodha and Justice H.L. Gokhale made it clear that Gen. Singh's date of birth would continue to be May 10, 1950, and not May 10, 1951, as he demanded based on his school leaving certificate.

Gen. Singh consequently withdrew his plea demanding that his year of birth be treated as 1951 and not 1950.

The army chief had gone to the Supreme Court Jan 16 insisting he was actually born May 10, 1951, not in 1950 as claimed by the government.