Chandigarh, Apr 29 (IANS): The Punjab government, here on Wednesday, removed all curbs on construction activities, residential as well as commercial, in rural areas. In urban areas, however, only on-going projects can be taken up, subject to availability of workers at site.

The instructions had been issued by Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Satish Chandra to ensure industrial activities, permitted by the central government, in the state, said an official spokesperson.

The district authorities have been asked to call meeting of industrial associations and persuade them to restart operations in the permitted areas.

The Industry Department has been asked to implement the standard operating procedure (SOP) in line with the guidelines of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs as per clause 15, which allowed industries in special economic zones and export-oriented units, industrial estates, industrial townships and industries in rural areas to operate.

The SOP requires the company management to provide special transportation of workers, in-house facility for labour, medical insurance, tieup with hospitals and arrangements for disinfecting the premises, thermal screening of employees and hand washing.

The spokesperson said the Union Home Secretary on April 3 said no fresh licence or statutory approval was required for resumption of permitted activities.