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Rishabh Pant Appeals to Uttarakhand CM for Assistance in Securing Native Land

India's star wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant has publicly requested Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami's aid in acquiring property to move his residence from Delhi back to his home state. Despite being Uttarakhand's highest individual taxpayer, the cricketer claims he has struggled for three years to find

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Key takeaways

  • Rishabh Pant requested Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami's help to buy land in Uttarakhand for his first home.
  • The cricketer clarified he wants to purchase the property at government rates rather than receiving it as a gift.
  • Pant is the highest individual taxpayer in Uttarakhand, paying Rs 23.84 crore in the 2025-26 financial year.
  • The 28-year-old athlete has spent three years unsuccessfully trying to find suitable land to shift his base from Delhi.
A split image showing Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami and Indian cricketer Rishabh Pant.
A split image showing Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami and Indian cricketer Rishabh Pant.

The Request for Native Relocation

India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant utilized social media in the early hours of Saturday to reach out to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. Currently stationed in Sri Lanka for a two-match Test series, Pant expressed a desire to relocate his primary base from Delhi to his home state. The 28-year-old athlete reported a three-year struggle to secure land that meets his requirements, describing the current acquisition process as a difficult experience regarding clarity and facilitation.

Pant, who was born in Roorkee within the Haridwar district, started his cricket career in Uttarakhand before moving to Delhi for professional advancement. Despite his success on the international stage, he emphasized a need to return to his Pahadi roots and contribute to the local community. The cricketer clarified that he is not seeking a handout, but rather permission to purchase land from the government at standard rates to facilitate the construction of his first residence in the state.

Why It Matters

This public appeal highlights the bureaucratic hurdles faced even by high-profile citizens attempting to invest in their home regions. As a prominent figure who has represented India globally, Pant’s move to establish a permanent residence in Uttarakhand signifies a major shift for the athlete, who has spent the bulk of his professional life centered in Delhi. His request also mentions outstanding land matters related to his previous promotional work for the state.

Key Facts

  • Rishabh Pant is Uttarakhand's top individual taxpayer for the 2025-26 financial year, contributing Rs 23.84 crore.
  • His tax payments more than doubled from the previous year's figure of approximately Rs 10.5 crore.
  • Pant recently secured a record-breaking Rs 27 crore deal with the Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL.
  • The cricketer maintains a diverse portfolio of endorsements including Adidas, Dream11, SG, and Zomato.
  • While he currently holds a Grade B BCCI contract worth Rs 3 crore annually, he previously held a Grade A contract valued at Rs 5 crore.

Background

The timing of this appeal follows the July 24 Income Tax Day announcement by the Chief Commissioner of Income Tax in Uttarakhand, which confirmed Pant as the state's leading taxpayer for the second year in a row. His financial profile has expanded significantly through match fees, BCCI retainerships, and a wide array of commercial partnerships with brands like Thums Up, boAt, and JSW Cement. Although he represents Delhi in domestic competitions, he has frequently voiced his allegiance to his native Uttarakhand.

Source: The Times of India

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