NEW DELHI, Jan 20: The Indian government on Friday night ruled out any compromise with Army chief Gen V.K. Singh over his age issue which has been dragged to the Supreme Court.

The government also made it clear that there was no move to appoint Gen Singh chief of defence staff, a post which at present is at conceptual stage and will likely be above the chiefs of the three defence services. “No compromise formula is being worked out,” a government source said.

There were reports claiming that discussions were being held to work out a formula to mollify Gen Singh and avert hearing of his petition by the Supreme Court. According to those reports, appointing Gen Singh as the first chief of defence staff is one of the options being discussed with him.

On Monday, Gen Singh filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the government’s rejection of his claim on his date of birth. He says that according to his matriculation certificate his date of birth is May 10, 1951, but the defence ministry has rejected his contention, saying his date of birth entered in the army record is May 10, 1950.

As per the government decision, Gen Singh will retire on May 31 this year but if his contention is upheld, he will get an extension till March 2013.—Dawn/The Times of India News Service