New Delhi: India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi 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 burdens.
“I have promised that there will be no inquiry into the source of the undisclosed income and assets if the declaration is made voluntarily.
“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 them.
“But gradually, times [have] 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, Modi said he had told them that they should not consider the countrymen “thieves”, but should repose faith in them and “handhold” them to encourage them to become law-abiding citizens.
‘Let’s trust you’
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 12.5 million citizens of the country, only 1,50,000 people have taxable income of over Rs5 million (Dh270,528). “This cannot be digested by anybody. One can see lakhs of people with taxable income of over Rs50 lakh [Rs5 million] in big cities ... my brothers and sisters, there is a golden chance to declare your undisclosed income.”
