Panaji, Jun 26 (IANS): The Goa government on Friday announced a slew of measures to provide fillip to the state's business and industrial sector, including allowing factories to run 12-hour shifts, extension in payment schedules for licence fees for industries and real estate businesses.

The other initiatives are deemed extension to licences for construction projects issued by municipal and panchayat bodies, which were hampered due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the resultant lockdown.

"To help factories to deal with shortage of workers due to current restrictions, the state government has granted exemption to all factories to thereby allow 12-hour shifts, initially up to July 31, 2020," Sawant told reporters in Panaji.

"In municipal and panchayat areas, all construction licences and permissions expiring between March 1 and June 30 are deemed to be extended up to October 31, 2020 without payment of any additional fees," the Chief Minister said.

Sawant said that the measures would bring relief for those engaged in construction activities.

"The government will have to bear a notional economic cost, but this will provide a fillip to businesses," Sawant said.

The economic measures also include deeming as valid, fitness certificates and permits (all types), learners and driving licences, registration documents, and any other document whose validity was set to expire between February 1 and September 30.

"The last date for renewal of excise licences has been extended from March 31 to June 30 without penalty," Sawant added.