Latest news with #PLEDGE
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
U.P. govt to offer more incentives, flexibility in new EODB measures
The Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh is preparing to introduce new ease-of-doing-business (EODB) measures under the PLEDGE (Promoting Leadership and Enterprise for Development of Growth Engine) Park Scheme, which is being revamped to offer developers more flexibility and incentives, officials said. According to the state government, the MSME department has drafted a detailed proposal for amending the existing provisions of the PLEDGE Park Scheme to make it more developer-friendly. Once approved, these changes will provide new advantages, including land use flexibility and reduced development charges. At present, the scheme allows private investors to establish industrial parks on 10 to 50 acres of land, offering benefits like stamp duty exemption, subsidised interest rates on loans, and financial support. The proposed amendments aim to boost participation by introducing significant reforms. These include permitting up to 10 per cent commercial and business activities within the parks, easing land use conversion regulations, and offering concessions in development charges, officials said. To fast-track industrial park approvals, the revised policy may authorise the director and commissioner of industries to approve layouts and building maps. Further, the uniformity in stamp duty rates for PLEDGE Park-related transactions is being prioritised, and the power to approve stamp duty exemptions may also be extended from district magistrates to deputy commissioners of industries, officials said. The government plans to develop a better road network to and from the parks. Developers will also benefit from relaxed norms reducing the required external road width from 12 metres to 7 metres.
CBS News
24-05-2025
- General
- CBS News
Here's how two Minneapolis men are helping kids love chess
How a chance meeting and love for chess is helping this Minneapolis community How a chance meeting and love for chess is helping this Minneapolis community How a chance meeting and love for chess is helping this Minneapolis community It's Chess tournament day at the Hosmer library in South Minneapolis. It's the culmination of a ten-week session of a program designed to teach chess and build community. "P.L.E.D.G.E is protected, lead, educate, deescalate, galvanize and effect and it's a nonprofit built on mentorship giving life skills creating life skills and building relationships with community," said Jay Slaughter. P.L.E.D.G.E was born out of the ashes of the uprising after the murder of George Floyd. Slaughter was a novice chess player. "I learned chess in the sixth grade at Jordan Park Middle School in North Minneapolis and I just learned how the pieces move, and I use to always loose in the beginning i never won a game of chess," said Slaughter. He met Steve Gagner, a lifelong chess player and teacher, in a chance encounter in George Floyd Square. Both decided to bring the love for the game to a new generation in hopes of building community at a time when it was needed most. Funding the effort out of their own pockets they started a chess club for kids ages 5 to 17. "We want to bring kids from diverse communities together when you see this kid at school when you see this kid at the corner store at the grocery store hey i know you your name is such and such, we play chess together and it builds camaraderie and relationship as well," said Slaughter. It also helps to teach and sharpen their skills as chess players. "Being able to sit with themselves and think about the next move and that's why we call it 'make your next move your best move,' because its not just about moving your pieces and going along with life it's about strategically thinking what do I want to do and if I do this what will they do," Slaughter said. Slaughter believes chess helps kids think ahead and make smart choices. For most, it's a challenge they enjoy. "I like playing it and beating people and getting trophies in tournaments," said 8-year-old Rhys O'Rourke. O'Rourke and his 10-year-old brother Quinn have been playing since they were 4 and 6-years old. They enjoy what the instructors brings to the group. "They can help and show you moves, and they can help you learn and show you moves you that should do or maybe not you just moved this back and one move at a time it's all right," said Quinn O'Rourke. Their Mom, grateful for the opportunity for her children. "Its definitely improved their confidence their focus and i think this is a great game of strategy and it helps with critical thinking," said Britt Kampanelli. Slaughter hopes the moves they make on the chess board translate to the way they move in life. "You're moving how you want to move just like life and at the same time you have to take into account that someone can always affect what you have going on and if you have a goal, you shouldn't let any dictate to you how you want to move," said Slaughter. For Evan Angell, chess has been a game changer. "For a dad, just having a son interested in an activity that doesn't involve being on a screen all the time it's a relief," said Evan's dad Eric Angell. Eric believes the game has helped him develop beyond being a great chess player. "It's also a community builder he's got friends now in school that play chess with him," said Angell. The goal of "making every move their best move" is working here, making sure all involved are building skills and relationships that help improve community. There are other activities to occupy the children when not playing chess. Not only are they fed snacks and lunch, but there are also puzzles, coloring books, crosswords and other activities at the library help keep kids engaged. Chess Days takes a break until July 5th, then the summer session begins.
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
GDA to spend Rs 2.4k crore to acquire 336 hectares for Harnanipuram township
Ghaziabad: The Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) board is likely to approve a Rs 2,384 crore budget to acquire 336 hectares of land from five villages—Mathurapur, Shamsher, Champatnagar, Bhanera-Khurd, and Nangla Feroze Mohan Nagar – for its Harnanipuram township . The cost estimates were prepared prior to the board meeting scheduled for Tuesday. "A committee headed by DM to decide on land rates for Harnanipuram was decided, which was four times the DM circle rates as per the Land Acquisition (Rehabilitation & Resettlement) Act, 2013. The board will adopt the rates," said Rajesh Kumar Singh, GDA secretary. According to Singh, the estimated cost includes 7% stamp duty and 1% registration charge, and compensation structure will vary across villages because of the difference in circle rates. Farmers in Mathurapur, where 14 hectares will be acquired, will receive Rs 4,080 per sqm against the current rate of Rs 1,020. In Shamsher, where 86 hectares are needed, farmers will get Rs 6,760 per sqm, up from the existing Rs 1,690. Champatnagar farmers, who will part with 33 hectares, will receive Rs 4,040 per sqm compared to the current Rs 1,010. For Bhanera-Khurd's 9 hectares, the compensation rate was set at Rs 4,240 per sqm, up from Rs 1,060. The largest land acquisition of 192 hectares from Nangla Feroze Mohan Nagar will be compensated at Rs 7,200 per sqm, up from the existing rate of Rs 1,800. Additionally, the GDA board is also expected to pass a land use change proposal under the UP govt's Promoting Leadership and Enterprise for Development of Growth Engine (PLEDGE) scheme for the development of industrial parks . "A proposal to change the land use of 0.431 hectares of land in Galand from agriculture to industrial will also be tabled under the PLEDGE scheme. To promote such industrial parks, govt will provide incentives like giving loans of up to Rs 50 lakh/acre at a 1% interest rate for a period of six years for the development of boundary walls, roads, and other amenities," Singh said. As per the scheme's salient features, a private developer or a consortium of developers should have a land bank between 10 acres to 30 acres. It will also give impetus to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME). The developer will reserve 75% of the industrial park land for MSMEs.
Hindustan Times
15-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
U.P. govt allocates ₹1,253 crore for road connectivity in industrial, logistics parks
With an aim to provide world class infrastructure for industries, the Uttar Pradesh government has allocated ₹1,253 crore to improve road connectivity in industrial and logistics parks. For this project, the government has earmarked 33 major roads in industrial areas and logistic parks across the state. The public works department (PWD) and the infrastructure and industrial development department will jointly execute the project. The industrial development department has identified the roads. The plan gives special attention to areas where industrial clusters are being developed so that infrastructure could be completed on time. The project seeks to improve roads that connect small businesses, startups and standalone units. These roads will be upgraded to enhance access and support the smooth functioning of small-scale enterprises. To make this possible, roads around upcoming industrial zones will be linked to major routes like national highways, state highways and key district roads with four-lane connectivity. Standalone units will also be better connected, and the plan will help improve access to a variety of industrial areas and PLEDGE (Promoting Leadership and Enterprise for Development of Growth Engines) parks. This push for better connectivity is seen as a strategic move that will bring multiple benefits. It will reduce travel time for logistics, cut down transport costs and improve the overall competitiveness of industries, said the state government on Thursday. The government sees this plan as a decisive step toward shaping the future of industry in Uttar Pradesh. Not only will this initiative support economic growth, it will also strengthen the state's contribution to PM Narendra Modi's vision of an 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India).
