Pay tax or face consequences: PM Modi in 'Mann Ki Baat'

In his radio programme, 'Mann ki Baat', Prime Minister Narendra Modi today firmly urged people to come clean by September 30 and declare their assets. People with undisclosed assets have an opportunity to declare their assets before 30th September, PM said. 

Modi also used the platform to mount an attack on the Congress to mark the 41st anniversary of the declaration of Emergency. Addressing the audience, PM Modi said, "In our big cities, when we see some of the houses that are worth crores, there seems to be some discord. Some people make well over 50 lakh rupees a year, but don't declare it. They do this to avoid paying their taxes. I am calling on all of them to come forward and declare their true incomes and pay their taxes by September 30.”

He added, "There will be no leniency after that.” Besides, PM also spoke about criticism that his radio programme has been facing, saying such criticism was possible only in a democracy. He then attacked the Congress over the Emergency, calling its declaration the darkest moment for India's democracy. "All the rights of citizens were taken away. The country was turned into a prison. Many political leaders like Jayaprakash Narayan were thrown in jail," he said.

He then said democracy was India's biggest strength and called for it to be strengthened.

Moreover, PM also expressed pride over the first batch of three women fighter pilots. He expressed pride over the fact that none of them were from the metro cities, or even the capitals of their respective states.

PM Modi also congratulated ISRO for its achievement of launching 20 satellites in a single stroke, and expressed pride over the SATYABAMASAT and SWAYAM, the microsatellites built by the students of Chennai's Satyabama University and Pune's College of Engineering respectively.

He also praised the country's scientific community for its efforts in working towards a better India.