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New Delhi, Feb 23 (PTI) Home Minister P Chidambaram today favoured tax exemption to two Oscars bagged by A R Rahman for Slumdog Millionaire. "If the Oscars carry a cash award, I will recommend to the Finance Minister that it should be exempt from taxation," Chidambaram, who is also former Finance Minister, said here. Chidambaram was speaking on the occasion of the foundation-laying ceremony of Rajaswa Bhawan, which will house the Central Board of Direct Taxes and Central Board of Excise and Customs, now in North Block. "As I was about to get on the car, to drive to this place (foundation-laying ceremony of Rajaswa Bhawan), we got this exhilarating news that A R Rahman has won both Oscars for which he was nominated," the Home Minister said. Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and a host of revenue department officials were present at the function. When asked whether such tax exemption would be given, CBDT Chairman S S N Moorthy refused a direct reply, saying this is a policy decision. Rahman today became the first Indian to win two Oscars for the Best Original Score "Slumdog Millionaire" and its foot-tapping song "Jai Ho". PTI
