The Government has decided to hold a CBI probe into the allegations made by Army Chief General V.K. Singh that he was offered a bribe of Rs 14 crore to push a defence deal.

In an interview to The Hindu , General Singh had said that the lobbyist told him that people had taken money before him and they will continue to do so after him too.

The Opposition raised the issue in both the Houses of Parliament. General Singh said that he had raised the matter with the Defence Minister, Mr A.K. Antony.

Mr Antony told reporters here that he has already taken action on the issue. He said the General's allegations are “serious”. “We have to handle it...I have taken action,” he added.

The BJP said Mr Antony's style of functioning has demoralised the Army.

“What did the Defence Minister do when the Army Chief reported this matter? Why did the Army Chief himself not immediately have the person offering the bribe arrested?” asked former Defence Minister and BJP leader Mr Jaswant Singh.

He asked what Mr Antony has to say on the allegation that the Army Chief is being targeted because he had cracked down on corruption.

“Who is the ‘ sutradhar ' of all these controversies? What is the effect of all these on the morale of the services?” Mr Singh asked.

The Congress said Mr Antony will explain the matter before Parliament.

“It is not proper for the Congress as political party to comment on the Army or its chief,” the Congress spokesperson, Mr Abhishek Manu Singhvi, said.

The issue has further dented the image of the UPA Government, which is reeling under a number of corruption allegations.

The party, however, is trying to defend the Ministry. A section of the party feels that General Singh's attempt is to remain in the limelight even though he lost the case in the date of birth controversy.

Mr Antony is supposed to make a detailed statement on the issue on Tuesday.

>jigeesh.am@thehindu.co.in

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