Army Base Hospital Commandant suddenly transferred; Army calls it 'routine'
Commandant Major General Vasu Vardhan has been transferred as Additional Officer in the Army Hospital (Research and Referral). He has been replaced by Major General SK Singh, who was the deputy commandant at Lucknow-based Army Medical Corps Centre and College.
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FollowThe Indian Army's decision to transfer its Delhi Base Hospital commandant to the Army Hospital (Research and Referral) just three months before his retirement and amid the Coronavirus pandemic has raised eyebrows in the military circles.
Commandant Major General Vasu Vardhan has been transferred as Additional Officer in the Army Hospital (Research and Referral). He has been replaced by Major General SK Singh, who was the deputy commandant at Lucknow-based Army Medical Corps Centre and College.
However, the Indian Army has called it "a routine transfer."
An Army spokesperson said it is a routine posting carried out as part of a larger plan of HR management within the Armed Forces Medical Services. The current Commandant has completed a tenure of more than 18 months in his current appointment.
However, the transfer order dated May 10 has triggered speculation.
"Generally, officers who are due to retire shortly are not transferred," a veteran said.
"The transfer is attributed to a call from an influential person for some favour which the officer did not entertain," a source said.
Former Northern and Central Army Commander Lt Gen HS Panag (Retd) said in a Tweet, "More to it than meets the eye. If you cannot make the upright bend, then you get them out of the way."
The Base Hospital was turned into a Covid-19 facility for soldiers, veterans and their dependents in April after the second wave of infections triggered a surge in the number of cases. The hospital was upgraded to a 650-bed hospital and is now being subsequently enhanced to a 1000-bed facility.
A few days ago, the Commandant lost his mother to Covid-19 in another city. But he returned to Delhi the same day.
"Commandant of Base Hospital, Maj Gen Vasu Vardhan lost his mother. He was still helping those who needed his help even while performing last rites. A post by Lt Gen Agarwal (R) regarding this is viral on WhatsApp. Heartfelt condolences. And A General Salute," former Indian Army officer Lt Gen Satish Dua said in a tweet.
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