New Delhi, Jun 26 (PTI): 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," 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.
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," 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.