New Delhi — After much dillydallying, the Government has filled two vital Army posts lying vacant for months.
Lt. Gen. K. Sundarji, General Officer Commanding, Western Command, has been appointed Vice Chief of Army Staff. He succeeds Lt. Gen. G. S. Rawat, who retired before the Lok Sabha election.
Lt. Gen. Ranjit Singh Dayal, Chief of Staff, Western Command, has been appointed GOC-in-C. Southern Command. He succeeds Lt. Gen. T.S. Oberoi, who retired several months ago.
Both Lt. Gen Sundarji and Lt. Gen Dayal were in charge of the Army action in Punjab.
Lt. Gen. Hriday Kaul, Deputy Chief of Army Staff at the Army Headquarters will take over as GOCinC, Western Command, succeeding Lt. Gen. Sundarji.
Lt. Gen Sundarji’s taking over as the Vice Chief of Army Staff improves his chances for his becoming the next Chief of Army Staff on retirement of Gen. A. S. Vaidya, although Indira Gandhi’s Government ignored the claims of the previous ViceChief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. S. K. Sinha who retired in protest when Gen. Vaidya superseded him.
It is not known who is going to be the next Deputy Chief of Army Staff.
Lt. Gen. K. Sundarji took over as Vice Chief of Army Staff on February 13, 1985. Before this, he was GOC-in-C, Western Command.
Article extracted from this publication >> March 1, 1985
