NEW DELHI: Senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram on Friday hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision on population control, respect for wealth creators and shunning single-use plastic, and hoped the finance minister and tax officials would heed to his exhortation. "All of us must welcome three announcements made by the Prime Minister on I-Day. Small family is a patriotic duty, respect wealth creators and shun single-use plastic," the former finance minister said in a series of tweets.

"Of the three exhortations, I hope the Finance Minister and her legion of tax officials and investigators heard the Prime Minister's second exhortation loud and clear," Chidambaram added.

Referring to the population and elimination of single use plastics, Chidambaram said, "The first and third exhortations must become people's movements. There are hundreds of dedicated voluntary organisations that are willing to lead the movements at local levels."






Addressing the nation on the 73rd Independence Day on Thursday, the prime minister expressed concern over "population explosion" in the country, saying it causes innumerable challenges for the coming generations, and asserted that the central and state governments should launch measures to deal with the issue.

"But there is a vigilant section of public which stops to think, before bringing a child to the world, whether they can do justice to the child, give them all that she or he wants. They have a small family and express their patriotism to the country. Let's learn from them. There is need of social awareness," Modi said in his speech.

Talking about the wealth creators, Modi said that wealth creation was a great national service.

Regarding the elimination of single use plastics, Modi said single-use plastic poses grave threat to the environment, adding that a significant step must come out by October 2.

(With inputs from agencies)