Defence minister A.K. Antony said that in 2006, the (then) Army Chief took a decision on the issue (to recognise May 10, 1950, as Gen. Singh’s DoB) which the government accepted. He said that in 2008, the Army again made the same decision under another Army Chief which the government again accepted.

He said this had been again done in 2009. “We thought everything (the controversy) is over,” Mr Antony said, adding that in 2011, once again a complaint on the issue came to the government. He said the government had consulted the law ministry and the attorney-general and had then taken a decision.
“The government decision is not final. In a democracy, anybody can question the government’s decision. When the Supreme Court takes a decision, it will be applicable to the government. Let us wait for a few days or a few weeks. The issue is now beyond the government,” Mr Antony said.
When asked about Mr Antony’s comments, Army Chief Gen. V.K. Singh said, “He (defence minister a.k. antony) was right. There is no doubt. If after 36 years, you suddenly come up with an issue, then there is something wrong with it.”
When asked whether there was something wrong in the Army system that led to the controversy and whether this was the original sin, the Army Chief answered in the affirmative. “The problem should have been sorted out. There was a problem with the coordination,” Gen. Singh said, adding that “this problem shall never recur again” since the Army has made sure now that such records will be reconciled.
He also said there was no conflict with the defence ministry.
Asked about the recent government communication to the adjutant-general branch asking it to reconcile records, the Army chief said that it takes time to study such communication and then adopt a course of action. He said it was not as simple as “pressing a button”.
The government could also examine whether the Army has issued a communication to the Army chief on his pension and other details — which is usually sent a few months before retirement.