NEW DELHI: The government has begun doing the homework for possibly starting economic activity — from working in factories to harvesting and procurement of grains — in a limited way.Anticipating that there will be reduced number of workers in factories making management of social distancing easier when operations resume, the government is considering allowing employers to engage them beyond the permitted overtime hours.The government is also planning relaxation in provisions of the APMC Act to allow purchase of wheat at places other than mandis, which would be more convenient for farmers. It is also examining involving unskilled labour for harvesting through job guarantee scheme, MGNREGA.The call on resuming economic activity is yet to be taken and each state will devise its own strategy to ensure that the pandemic is contained.Sources said consultation has started with the labour and employment ministry to push productivity with limited labour. The labour minister will also be urged to consider providing insurance cover to labourers to motivate them to come to work.These plans are on government’s table as the Centre and states are keen to allow certain categories of factories to start operation soon for processing essential items and restart the manufacturing sector as well.“You can’t achieve higher production with less number of workers and allowing overtime beyond the permissible norm would be a better proposition,” said a source. He added that providing insurance cover would be a complimentary for labourers.TOI has learnt that different states have set norms for seeking passes for employees to work in factories and manufacturing units. In some cases, the employers are being asked to accommodate the workers at the factory itself.Owners of manufacturing units, which are allowed to operate now, need to upload the details of workers, including their photographs, to get the passes. This is proving to be a cumbersome process.On Thursday, Union minister Nitin Gadkari held a meeting with officers of medium and small scale industries and its allied entities where he asked officers to consult entrepreneurs on how to to resume production as soon as the lockdown is relaxed or lifted.