Cabinet declares national mourning on Sep 7, public holiday on Sep 8

KATHMANDU: The government has decided to observe national mourning on September 7 in honour of those who died in Bhotekoshi River flood.

A meeting of the Council of Ministers held at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers in Singha Durbar today decided to observe national mourning in memory of those who lost their lives in the flood, Government Spokesperson and Minister for Education and Sports Sasmit Pokharel said.

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

Minister Pokharel said the government has also decided to declare a nationwide public holiday on September 8, or Bhadra 23, to mark Gen-Z Martyrs’ Day.

The government has accepted a grant of $5 million from the Asian Development Bank for the rescue and relief of people affected by the Bhotekoshi flood.

The Cabinet decided to provide relief, tax and revenue exemptions, and other facilities and benefits under the integrated business resilience plan to facilitate the immediate reopening of industries and businesses affected by the flood.

The government has authorised Salt Trading Corporation and Food Management and Trading Company to import 25,000 metric tonnes of sugar at a customs duty of 1%.

Special facilities will be provided to employees involved in rescue operations, Pokharel said.

The government has decided to provide risk allowances and meal expenses to security personnel and civil service employees involved in search and rescue operations following the Bhotekoshi flood.

The Cabinet has also decided to provide free treatment to rescuers injured during operations and Rs 1 million in relief to the family of any rescuer who dies.

Meanwhile, the Cabinet decided to promote Narayan Prasad Bhatta to secretary in the Special Gazette Class under the Nepal Administrative Service and appoint him chief secretary at the Office of the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers in Koshi Province, Pokharel said.