New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday used his radio programme ‘Mann Ki Baat’ to mount an attack on the Congress to mark the 41st anniversary of the declaration of Emergency.
Commenting on the criticism, his radio programme receives, PM said, "Sometimes, people make fun of Mann Ki Baat. But this is possible only because of democracy.”
Calling declaration of Emergency the darkest moment for India's democracy, PM said, "26 June, 1975 was a dark day for democracy in India. The country was turned into a jailkhana," the Prime Minister said. "The rights of citizens were taken away. Many political leaders like Jayaprakash Narayan were put behind bars," he said.
Modi said on his monthly programme, "We must not forget that our power is democracy. Our power lies in every citizen's strength."
"We should keep reminding the people about their power in a democracy. We should unite the people," he added.
"There was a day when the voice of people was trampled over but now, that voice is given encouragement and people of India express their views on how the government is performing," the PM said.
Declare undisclosed income by Sept 30, it is last chance: PM
New Delhi, June 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.
