Last Chance. Declare Undisclosed Income By September 30: PM Modi

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today asked people to declare their undisclosed income by September 30, making it clear that this is the last chance to avoid problems that will follow after the window of opportunity closes.

He said no questions would be asked about the source of the undisclosed income or assets if the declaration is made voluntarily by September 30.

"For those having undisclosed income, the government has provided a special chance to declare it by September 30," PM Modi said in his monthly radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat'.

He said by paying a penalty, those having undisclosed money can free themselves from various kinds of burden.

"I have promised that there will be no inquiry into the source of the undisclosed income and assets if the declaration is made voluntarily. That is why I am saying it is a good chance for becoming a part of transparent system," he said.

"Let me tell the countrymen that this chance is till September 30. Consider this as the last chance," the Prime Minister asserted during the programme.

He said he has told BJP MPs that if anybody faces any problem after September 30 for not abiding by the rules, no help should be provided to them.

"It will be better that you take advantage of the window provided and save yourself from the difficulties that you can face after September 30," he said.

PM Modi said there was a time when taxation rules were such that people would tend to avoiding paying taxes.

"But gradually, times changed. Now, for a taxpayer, it is not much difficult to abide by the government rules. Still, old habits die hard," he said, adding there are still people who feel that it is better to avoid paying taxes.

"My plea is that by running away from rules, we lose our peace. Any small person can harass us. Why should we let it happen? Why not ourselves give correct information to the government about our income, about our wealth? For once, dispose off the baggage of the past. I appeal to my countrymen to get free from this," he said.

Referring to his recent interaction with officials of Income Tax, Customs and Excise here, the Prime Minister said he had told them that they should not consider the countrymen "theives" but should repose faith in them and "hand-hold" them to encourage them to become law-abiding citizens.

He said he told them to change their approach as it was important to create an atmosphere of trust.

However at the meeting, he said, he was told that out of 1.25 crore citizens of the country, only 1.5 lakh people have taxable income of over Rs 50 lakh. "This cannot be digested by anybody. One can see lakhs of people with taxable income of over Rs 50 lakh in big cities.

"Before taking any tough step, the government wants to give the people a chance. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, there is a golden chance to declare your undisclosed income.

In other words, it is a way out of difficulties that will come after September 30....I don't want that you should feel any difficulty after September 30," PM Modi emphasised.

During the 30-minute programme, he also talked about Emergency which was imposed on this day in 1975 by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and asserted that democracy is the country's strength and it will have to be strengthened.

The Prime Minister said sometimes some people mock at his 'Mann Ki Baat' programme and even criticise it. This, he said, is possible because "we are committed to democracy".

He said that the democracy, which empowers every citizen, had been suppressed on this day in 1975.

"The morning of June 26, 1975, was such a black night when Emergency was imposed on the country. All rights of the citizens were taken away. The country was turned into a prison. Along with Jaiprakash Narain, lakhs of people and thousands of politicians were sent to jails," he recalled.

"But today when I am talking to you on June 26, we should not forget that our strength is democracy, our strength is people's strength and our strength is every citizen. We have to take this commitment further and strengthen it," he added.

The Prime Minister said it is the strength of the countrymen that they have lived this democracy.

"When the newspaper offices are sealed and radio speaks only voice, people on the other hand make you realise the power of democratic forces. This is a big strength for any nation," he said in apparent reference to the days of Emergency in the country.

"The shining example of democratic powers of a common citizen of the country was seen during Emergency and it should keep reminding the nation again and again," PM Modi added.

He said there should be an attitude that people continue to realise their strengths.

"I keep saying that democracy does not mean that you vote and give contract of five years for running the country. Voting is a crucial part of democracy, but there are several other aspects too. The biggest aspect is people's participation -- the pulse of the people, the thinking of the people.

The more governments associate with the people, the more is the country strengthened," he said.

"It is the gulf between the people and the governments which is the cause of our ailments. It has been my endeavour always to take the country forward through people's participation," he said.

Noting that his government recently completed two years, PM Modi said some "modern-thinking youth" had given him a "kind of challenge" to get his government's performance assessed by the people.

He said when he mentioned this to his senior colleagues, they said it should not be done as in this age technology can be misused and the survey can be taken anywhere.

"They expressed concern. But I thought the risk should be taken. A try should be given. Let us see what happens," PM Modi said, adding the survey was subsequently carried out on 'Rate my government-MyGov.in' in different languages.

Three lakh people gave answers to all the questions, he said, contending that the sample size is bigger than the ones in surveys carried out after elections.

He said he will not go into the result of the survey as he left it to the media to do so.

"So, did you see? There was a day some years ago when the voice of the countrymen was muzzled on June 26 and there is a time when the people themselves decide whether the government is performing well or badly. This is the strength of democracy."

The Prime Minister also referred to the International Yoga Day celebrated on June 21 and said a momentum of yoga should be maintained for at least a year as it may help cure diabetes.

PM Modi also mentioned the recent induction of three women as fighter pilots in the Indian Air Force. While naming the three, he hailed them as an example of empowerment of women, particularly since they come from small cities and towns.

He welcomed the prediction of good rains in the country during Monsoon, saying it will give relief to the countrymen, particularly farmers, who had been facing drought and water-scarcity.

In this context, he again laid thrust on water conservation, saying "jal hai toh kal hai (water is essential for a better tomorrow)".

Referring to the feat achieved by the ISRO in launching 22 satellites in one go a few days back, PM Modi had words of praise for students of Pune and Tamil Nadu who had prepared two of these satellites.

He said more and more children should be encouraged to become scientists so that the country can have innovations, especially in the area of space.