Fulfilled my "life's dream" OROP: PM Modi tells jawans

Lauding the security forces for making the nation proud, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday silenced all critics and assured that his government would very soon implement the One Rank, One Pension (OROP) scheme.

"Everyone wants to celebrate Diwali with their loved ones. That's why I have come here amid my loved ones. When earthquake hit Gujarat in 2001, I celebrated Diwali with the victims. So, it's not that I am doing this after becoming the Prime Minister," Prime Minister Modi said while interacting with the jawans.

"When you stay awake, they (people) sleep. If you would not have stayed awake, they would not have deserved sleep. Crores lit diyas for the jawans. Film superstars, sports personalities, politicians, businessmen, farmers etc all had #Sandesh2Soldiers. Whenever the security forces have got the opportunity to do something, they have done something to make the nation proud," he added.

Asserting that he has fulfilled his dream by initiating apt steps for implementation of the OROP scheme, Prime Minister Modi recalled that he invited the ex-servicemen in his public meeting in Rewari and promised the same after being nominated as the BJP's prime ministerial candidate during the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.

"This year many thought the OROP won't come into effect and so the army might do something against us... So, they included Rs. 500 crore in the budget. When I became the Prime Minister, I said I will work for it. The matter was not of Rs. 200 or Rs. 500 crore.it was a matter of Rs. 10,000 crore," said Prime Minister Modi.

"I said giving the amount in a single installment is not possible for this government. The army agreed to me and the amount would reach the army's residence through money order in four installments. The first installment has already reached. Around Rs. 5,500 crore has already been given. I have fulfilled the OROP.this was my life's dream," he added.

The Prime Minister's assertion came a day after Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi questioned the NDA Government's resolve to work for soldiers' welfare.

Gandhi also asked the Prime Minister to first implement the 'One Rank, One Pension' scheme in a meaningful way and redress their pay anomalies and other grievances.