Tamil Nadu Congress MP Calls for Tax Exemption on Prize Money for World Chess Champion Gukesh

Tamil Nadu Congress MP Calls for Tax Exemption on World Chess Champion Gukesh’s Prize Money

Chennai, December 20: Tamil Nadu Congress MP R Sudha has made a plea to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for a tax exemption on the prize money won by newly crowned World Chess Champion Dommaraju Gukesh. In a letter addressed to the government officials, Sudha highlighted the need to recognize Gukesh’s remarkable achievement and provide him with the same benefits that sports icons like Sachin Tendulkar and Ravi Shastri have received in the past.

Gukesh, 18, recently made history by clinching the World Chess Championship title, defeating Chinese grandmaster Ding Liren in a thrilling final. His victory earned him a substantial prize of $1.35 million (approximately INR 11.45 crore), but he now faces a significant tax liability of Rs 4.8 crore on his winnings. Sudha urged the government to waive this amount as a gesture of appreciation for Gukesh’s extraordinary accomplishment.

In addition to the tax exemption, Sudha also called for a cash award from the Union government to further honor Gukesh’s success, following the example set by the Tamil Nadu government. She emphasized the importance of celebrating Gukesh’s victory not only for the individual but also to inspire young Indians to excel in chess and other sports.

The Congress MP proposed that Parliament pass a resolution congratulating Gukesh, recognizing the significance of his victory at such a young age and marking a historic moment in Indian sports. Gukesh, overwhelmed with emotion after his win, described it as “the best moment of his life” during the post-match press conference.

Following his triumph, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin felicitated Gukesh with a grand ceremony, presenting him with a cheque for INR 5 crore in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin and chess legend Viswanathan Anand. The gesture from the state government further highlighted the importance of recognizing and supporting young talents in the field of sports.

As Gukesh continues to bask in the glory of his World Chess Championship victory, the call for tax exemptions and government recognition serves as a reminder of the impact that such gestures can have on inspiring future generations of athletes and chess enthusiasts.