Chandigarh, May 15 (IANS): In view of difficulties faced by industrial and commercial establishments owing to the nationwide lockdown extended till May 17, the Haryana government on Friday announced relief measures for these businesses.

A spokesperson for the Department of Industry and Commerce said the measures include waiver of rent due against all government, Panchayati Raj Institutions, urban local bodies' buildings and shops, including start-ups in the incubators of the Department of Information Technology from March 15 to May 31.

He also announced 50 per cent waiver of simple interest and extension of deferment period from the present limit of April 30 to May 31 for all dues payable to government departments, boards, corporations and authorities.

He said the relief measures also include waiver of two months of motor vehicle tax for commercial vehicles.

The state government has given extension in the validity period of all government contracts entered into by various departments and agencies up to the last date of the lockdown period, i.e., May 17 or any other date further notified by the government.

He said in the wake of the epidemic, the standard 'Force Majeure' clause is being made applicable in all government contracts covered under these relief measures.

However, it will not include contracts entered into by the government department and agencies for medical infrastructure and facilities, supply of items including drugs, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, their raw material and intermediaries, disaster management items, food and food products etc required to fight COVID-19 and other flood- and emergency-related activities, he added.