Met PM before accepting Admiral DK Joshi`s resignation as Navy Chief: AK Antony

A day after Indian Navy Chief Admiral DK Joshi resigned taking moral responsibility for a series of accidents that have hit naval vessels over the past few months, Defence Minister AK Antony said he was “sad about the whole development”.

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: A day after Indian Navy Chief Admiral DK Joshi resigned taking moral responsibility for a series of accidents that have hit naval vessels over the past few months, Defence Minister AK Antony on Thursday said he was “sad about the whole development”. Saying that Admiral DK Joshi met him and handed over his resignation letter, Antony said Vice Admiral Robin Dhowan is now officiating as the new Navy chief. "He (Admiral Joshi) was very disturbed by the whole development. He is very fine human being and a very good admiral. He was totally upset about the whole development. He requested me that he would like to take the whole responsibility, so he requested me to accept his resignation with immediate effect," Antony said. Also Read: Who will succeed Indian Navy Chief DK Joshi? The minister said he met with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and consulted others on Navy Chief DK Joshi`s resignation issue. "He (the Navy Chief) was disturbed by the whole incident and claimed responsibility for the incident," Antony added. Indian Navy Chief Admiral DK Joshi resigned on Wednesday taking moral responsibility for a series of accidents that have hit naval vessels over the past few months. The government accepted his resignation with immediate effect, a Defence Ministry release said. The resignation came on a day when seven Indian Navy personnel were injured and at least two went missing after smoke filled a compartment in the INS Sindhuratna submarine that was underwater off Mumbai, about 50 nautical miles (80 km) in the Arabian Sea. Also Read: INS Sindhuratna mishap: Two missing Naval officers found dead There were 94 sailors onboard the submarine when smoke was reported in the sailors` accommodation. "Taking moral responsibility for the accidents and incidents which have taken place during the past few months, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral DK Joshi today (Wednesday) resigned from the post of CNS," the release said. Also Read: http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/after-navy-chief-dk-joshi-western-naval-commander-shekhar-sinha-to-resign_914466.html The Navy has been hit by a spate of accidents over the past seven months causing concern. The biggest accident involved fire on the INS Sindhurakshak and the subsequent sinking of the submarine in the Mumbai harbour on August 14 last year, killing all 18 personnel aboard. Antony had earlier this month expressed concern over the accidents suffered by the Navy over the past few months. Antony said that even one accident was "serious" for him and there was need to strictly follow standard operating procedures and draw proper lessons. (With IANS inputs)