Cabinet decision: National mourning day on September 7; Public holiday on next day

Kathmandu / Sept 3: The government has decided to observe national mourning on September 7 in honour of those deceased in the Bhitekoshi River flood.

A meeting of the Council of Ministers held at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers in Singhadurbar today decided to mark the national mourning in commemoration of those who lost their lives in the flood, informed government spokesperson and Minister for Education and Sports, Sasmit Pokharel.

On the national mourning day, the national flag will be hoisted at half-mast at all government offices across Nepal and Nepali embassies and missions abroad.

Minister Pokharel informed that the government has decided to announce a public holiday across the country on September 8 (Bhadra 23) on the occasion of ‘Gen-Z Martyrs’ day.

The government has accepted a grant of five million US dollars from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for the rescue and relief of citizens affected by the Bhotekoshi flood.

The meeting decided that relief, tax and revenue exemptions, and other facilities and benefits will be provided under the integrated business resilience plan to immediately restart industries and businesses affected by the flood.

The government has approved Salt Trading Corporation Limited and Food Management and Trading Company Limited to import 25,000 metric tons of sugar at one percent customs duty.

As informed, special facilities will be provided to employees involved in the rescue.

The government has decided to provide a risk allowance and snack expenses to security personnel and civil service staff involved in search and rescue following the Bhotekoshi flood.

Similarly, the Cabinet has decided to provide free treatment to the rescuers on condition of injury and one million rupees in relief to the family in case of casualty.

The Cabinet meeting has decided to promote Narayan Prasad Bhatta to the Secretary in the Special Gazetteed Category under the Nepal Administrative Service and appoint him as the Chief Secretary at the Office of the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers, Koshi Province, spokesperson and Minister Pokharel informed. RSS