Uttarakhand: Rishabh Pant seeks land for home, CM Dhami assures support
India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has sought assistance from the Uttarakhand government to acquire land for building a home in his native state. This appeal, made publicly on social media, prompted Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to assure Pant of full support in the matter.
Pant, who currently represents Delhi in domestic cricket, expressed his desire to relocate from Delhi to Uttarakhand and contribute to the state’s development. He indicated his willingness to purchase the land from the government at official rates. His request quickly gained attention on social media platforms.
Pant’s Appeal and CM’s Response
In a post on X, Pant directly addressed Chief Minister Dhami, stating that he had been attempting to acquire suitable land in Uttarakhand for approximately three years. He mentioned his struggle to find a property that met his requirements, despite his love for Uttarakhand and his wish to return to his native place to help build around the state and be with his “Pahadi people.”
Following his initial post, Pant clarified that he was not seeking a gift but intended to purchase the land from the government at applicable rates. He expressed that having his first house built in his own state would be meaningful. The cricketer’s posts highlighted his strong connection to his roots in Uttarakhand, where he was born in Roorkee, Haridwar district, and began his cricketing journey before moving to Delhi for professional pursuits.
Chief Minister Dhami responded to Pant’s appeal, acknowledging him as the “pride of Uttarakhand.” Dhami stated that Pant’s achievements in cricket have brought recognition to the state nationally and internationally. He commended Pant’s desire to return to his homeland and contribute to its development. The Chief Minister assured Pant that instructions were being issued to concerned officials, who would contact him soon to provide all possible cooperation in accordance with regulations.
Speaking to reporters, Dhami reiterated that anyone wishing to return to Uttarakhand is welcome, particularly Pant, who has achieved significant success for the state and the country. He confirmed that government officials would discuss the matter with Pant and provide necessary support, stating, “If he requires anything at all, we will certainly provide it.”
Financial Contributions and Cricket Career
Pant’s appeal comes shortly after he was identified as Uttarakhand’s highest individual taxpayer for the 2025-26 financial year, reportedly paying Rs 23.84 crore in taxes. This figure was announced by the Chief Commissioner of Income Tax, Uttarakhand, during an Income Tax Day event on July 24. This marks the second consecutive year Pant has topped the list of individual taxpayers in the state.
Reports indicate that Pant’s tax contribution more than doubled from the previous financial year, when he paid approximately Rs 10.5 crore in advance tax. His substantial earnings are attributed to various sources, including his BCCI contract, IPL salary, match fees, and numerous endorsement deals. These endorsements include associations with brands such as Adidas, Dream11, SG, Thums Up, Cadbury, boAt, Noise, Zomato, JSW Cement, and MakeMyTrip.
In his professional cricket career, Pant has accumulated 3,557 runs in 50 Tests, with an average of 43.37, including eight centuries and 19 fifties. He has also scored 871 runs in 31 ODIs and 1,209 runs in 76 T20Is. In the IPL, Pant recently rejoined Delhi Capitals after being traded by Lucknow Super Giants. He had initially joined LSG for Rs 27 crore but will now represent Delhi Capitals at a revised fee of Rs 15 crore. Spinner Kuldeep Yadav moved to Lucknow in the opposite direction for his existing fee of Rs 13.50 crore.
Currently, Pant is part of the India A squad participating in a three-day unofficial Test against Sri Lanka Cricket XI in Colombo. This match serves as preparation for India’s upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka, which is scheduled to commence in Galle on August 15.
Source: m.rediff.com
