INS Matanga fire spells more trouble for Navy

NEW DELHI: A fire broke out on Indian navy tugboat INS Matanga at the naval dockyard in Mumbai on Sunday, the latest among a series of accidents troubling the force.

The mishap — 14th in eight months — occurred when welding work was being carried out on the 31-year-old ocean-going tug. No one was injured in the incident. The latest blow to the navy’s image comes at a time when the suspense over who will be the next chief shows no sign of an early end.

The navy has been without a chief for the last 40 days. It has been functioning under an acting chief after Admiral DK Joshi resigned on February 26, accepting moral responsibility for a rash of recent accidents.

Defence minister AK Antony is likely to seek PM Manmohan Singh’s approval before naming Joshi’s successor. A source said Antony, who is currently campaigning in Kerala, is expected to consult the PM on filling the top slot after returning to Delhi on April 11.

The ministry will send the file proposing the next chief ’s name to the Appointments Committee of Cabinet for approval only after Antony has discussed the matter with the PM, the source said.

Acting chief Vice Admiral Robin Dhowan, Western Naval Command chief Vice Admiral Shekhar Sinha and Eastern Naval Command chief Vice Admiral Anil Chopra are the contenders for the top job.