Bilaspur: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today that his government delivered on the promise made to the ex-servicemen on ‘One Rank One Pension’ scheme and it was an indication of the Centre’s commitment to the Indian Army.

He said nearly Rs 8,500 crore have been distributed under the scheme, that had been stuck for nearly 40 years.

Addresing a rally here, Modi said nobody asked why the OROP scheme could not be realised for such a long period.

“I had announced during the Mandi rally that we will give One Rank One Pension. Three instalments have been given till now. Close to Rs 8,500 crore has been distributed,” he said, referring to his rally in 2016.

Modi said the fourth instalment will be sent soon.

“I understand that this (amount) puts pressure on the government, but our soldiers are a priority for me,” he said.

Talking about the surgical strike India carried out across the LoC with Pakistan in September last year, he said the way India celebrated and remembered the operation increases the pride of every Indian youth.

The “surgical strike” showed that the Indian Army was no less than any army of the world, he said, adding that this has increased the morale of the soldiers.

The Indian Army carried out the surgical strike on militants bases across the LoC as a response to the attack by Pakistan-backed terrorists on its base in Uri. Twenty Indian soldiers died in the attack.

Praising the people of Himachal Pradesh, Modi said every village of the state sends soldiers to defend the country. “I bow before everyone of you.