India took its first tentative steps towards restarting its stalled economy on Monday, as it relaxed its strict national lockdown to permit the limited resumption of industrial activities. 

But industry groups said uncertainty about supply chains and the strict conditions imposed on companies — including a requirement for workers to be housed in their industrial compounds and the inability to recall labourers who may have left — had made it tough for many businesses to resume production.

The government’s decision to allow certain sectors to restart operations is intended to help alleviate a potential economic and humanitarian crisis. Nearly all the country’s economic activity has been suspended since March 22 and is set to continue to at least May 3 — a brutal blow to millions of workers who are now dependent on food handouts to survive.