Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: The government has decided to observe September 7 as a National Day of Mourning in respect of all those who lost their lives in the Bhotekoshi floods.
A cabinet meeting held on Thursday made the decision, according to Minister for Education and Sports Sashmit Pokharel, who is also the government spokesperson. The national flag will be flown at half-mast at government offices across the country and Nepali diplomatic missions abroad on that day, Pokharel said.
The meeting also decided to declare a public holiday on September 8 on the occasion of Gen Z Martyrs’ Day.
According to Pokharel, the meeting decided to provide relief, including tax and customs duty exemptions, under an integrated business rehabilitation plan to help individuals, industries and businesses affected by the Rasuwa floods resume operations immediately.
Likewise, the cabinet also decided to accept a $5 million grant from the Asian Development Bank for saving lives, immediate rescue and relief of citizens affected by the Bhotekoshi floods.
The meeting also decided to provide risk allowances, meal expenses, free medical treatment in case of injury to security personnel and civil servants deployed in search and rescue operations. It also decided to provide compensation of Rs 1 million to family members if they die during search and rescue operations.
Pokharel said the government would assume full guardianship of children who lost their parents in the Bhotekoshi floods.
Pokharel also said holding centers had been arranged for the homeless and that temporary shelters and relief were being provided in coordination with donor agencies.
The meeting also approved the import of a total of 25,000 tons of sugar through Salt Trading Corporation and Food Management and Trading Company at a 1% customs duty.
Meanwhile, the meeting decided to promote Narayan Prasad Bhatta, a Nepal Administration Service official, to the position of Secretary and appoint him as Principal Secretary of the Koshi Province Government.
