The Uttar Pradesh government's unique scheme, PLEDGE (Promoting Leadership and Enterprise for Development of Growth Engines), aimed at promoting private industrial parks and strengthening MSME-led industrial growth, investment, and employment generation, has proven to be a remarkable initiative. Launched in 2023, PLEDGE encourages the creation of private industrial parks across the state and accelerates MSME-led industrialization.
Objectives
The scheme aims to:
- Promote the establishment of privately developed industrial parks.
- Strengthen the MSME ecosystem.
- Generate employment opportunities.
- Encourage industrial development in aspirational and backward regions.
- Attract private investment in industrial infrastructure.
Salient Features
Private Industrial Parks
Private developers, industrialists, companies, and consortiums can establish industrial parks on a Build-Own-Operate (BOO) model. Parks generally require 10 acres or more of contiguous land.
Financial Support
Development funding is made available through low-cost financing mechanisms. Under the RAMP programme, the government provides 50% support on interest costs for gap funding, subject to prescribed limits.
Stamp Duty Exemptions
Up to 100% exemption in stamp duty on land purchased for the industrial park. Additional stamp duty concessions for units purchasing or leasing plots within the park.
Support for MSMEs
MSMEs establishing units inside PLEDGE Parks can receive incentives under the Uttar Pradesh MSME Policy, including support for land acquisition and infrastructure development.
Eligibility
The promoter/developer must:
- Possess at least 10 acres of contiguous land in Uttar Pradesh.
- Submit a Detailed Project Report (DPR).
- Ensure adequate road connectivity and power supply.
- Obtain necessary land-use and ownership clearances.
How to Apply
- Application at District Industries Centre (DIC).
- Approval by the District-level committee.
- Submission of DPR to the PLEDGE Cell.
- Technical evaluation.
- Issuance of Letter of Comfort and approval for incentives.
Achievements So Far
Multiple PLEDGE Parks have been approved across districts such as Aligarh, Kanpur Dehat, Saharanpur, Jhansi, Hapur, Sambhal, and Meerut. The state has promoted PLEDGE as a key component of its MSME and industrial growth strategy. Uttar Pradesh has linked the scheme with its broader goal of becoming a trillion-dollar economy through industrial expansion and job creation.
Importance
PLEDGE is unique because it shifts industrial park development from being solely government-driven to a public-supported private development model. By creating ready industrial infrastructure, it helps MSMEs start operations faster, reduces entry barriers for entrepreneurs, and expands manufacturing clusters across Uttar Pradesh.
