D Gukesh: Tamil Nadu MP wants PM Modi to waive tax from prize money won by chess world champion, says report

Tamil Nadu Congress Member of Parliament (MP) R Sudha has reportedly requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to consider tax waiver for the prize money that newly-crowned world chess champion D Gukesh has won.

According to a report in India Today, Sudha wrote a letter to PM Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and noted that while Gukesh will receive a whopping amount of Rs 11.45 crore, his tax liability is Rs 4.8 crore. Sudha also noted that legendary cricketers like Sachin Tendulkar and Ravi Shastri had received tax exemptions during the Congress government’s rule.

D Gukesh Exclusive | 'A childhood dream pushed us to World Chess Championship victory'

Sudha, an MP of Mayiladuthurai municipality, also requested the Union government to present Gukesh with a cash award. “Such a reward will not only honor Gukesh but also inspire many young Indians to excel in chess and other sports,” Sudha wrote in the letter.

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Sudha also urged the Parliament to pass a resolution in lauding the teenager’s impressive performance. Gukesh, 18, became the youngest-ever to win the World Chess Championship title when he defeated Ding Liren 7.5-6.5 in Singapore last week.

The Chennai youngster also became only the second Indian, after the legendary Viswanathan Anand, to win the tournament. Gukesh received a warm welcome on his return to Chennai on Monday and was felicitated by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin. Stalin handed out a cheque of Rs 5 crore at an event where Udhayanidhi Stalin, the Deputy Chief Minister, and Viswanathan Anand were present.

‘Money isn’t the reason I play chess’: Gukesh 

Gukesh had recently said he is not playing chess for the money. “It means a lot. When I got into chess, we (as a family) had to make some hard decisions. My parents had gone through financial and emotional hardships. Now, we are more comfortable and parents don’t need to think about those things,” he told the FIDE during an interview.

“Personally, money isn’t the reason I play chess. I am still the kid who loves chess. It used to be the coolest toy," added Gukesh.