NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday reiterated his government's commitment to implement the One Rank, One Pension (OROP) scheme for ex-servicemen, but sought time to resolve its complexities.

Attacking the previous governments for "playing politics" over the issue for the past 40 years, he said OROP was "a complex issue, a vexed issue. You have been patient for 40 years. Give me some time to address it."

In his 'Mann ki Baat' radio address, Modi said various departments were working to resolve the complexities as "it is not a simple matter" and added that "running commentary" through the media on the details of the progress will not help.

Lauding the services of the defence personnel, he said he could understand their problems as he was talking to them "as an individual rather than as a Prime Minister".

"We are committed to OROP. .... Is it not a fact that for 40 years, this matter has been pending? ... No government in the past has implemented it. Political elements have played games with you on the issue. You have faith in us," Modi said in a 25-minute speech.

OROP has been a long-standing demand of over two million ex-servicemen of India. It seeks to ensure that a uniform pension for the defence personnel retiring in the same rank with the same length of service, irrespective of their date of retirement.

Referring to the completion of one year of the BJP-led NDA rule, the Prime Minister said the entire country has debated on the positives and negatives of it. "It is important to known what have been the drawbacks," he said, adding that many sections have also praised his government's achievements in the past 12 months.

The Prime Minister also spoke of the recent launch of three social major security schemes for the poor, saying that over 8.5 crore people have joined the schemes within 20 days of their launch. The schemes are Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and Atal Pension Yojana.

Success, failure part of life

The Prime Minister also congratulated students who passed the Central Board of Second Education (CBSE) examinations and told the student community that success and failure are a part of life.

"(CBSE) Board exam results are out. I congratulate those who have passed the exams," Modi said.

The prime minister, however, asked those not successful or scored low marks in their exams not to lose heart.

"Success and failure are a part of life. We can learn a lot from failure also," he added.

Modi also said many people told him that his radio address before the exams was very helpful. "But, the reason for student's success is their hard work."

Kisan TV

Talking about the recently-launched DD Kisan channel, the prime minister said it gave him a "lot of joy".

Describing the channel as an "open university", Modi said: "Kisan TV channel is a channel where both the teacher and the student are farmers."