Declare undisclosed income by Sept 30, it's last chance: PM in 'Mann ki Baat'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday 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 Bharataiya Janata Party members of Parliament 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 in New Delhi, the prime minister said he had told them that they should not consider the countrymen ‘thieves’ 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.

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.

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, 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.