Nepal Declares Public Holiday to Honor Gen Z Movement Martyrs

Nepal’s government has declared September 8 a nationwide public holiday to commemorate the martyrs of the Gen Z movement.

The Cabinet made the decision at a meeting at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers. Government spokesperson Sasmita Pokhrel later released the Cabinet’s seven major decisions.

The government also designated September 7 as a national day of mourning for those who died in the devastating Bhote Koshi River flood in Rasuwa on August 26. Government offices across Nepal, as well as Nepali embassies and diplomatic missions abroad, will fly the national flag at half-mast.

Among the relief measures, the Cabinet agreed to accept a $5 million Asian Development Bank grant for life-saving operations, emergency rescue and assistance for people affected by the flood. It also approved relief, tax and customs concessions under an integrated business rehabilitation plan for individuals and businesses seeking to resume operations.

The Cabinet approved the import of 25,000 metric tonnes of sugar through the Salt Trading Corporation and the Food Management and Trading Company at a one per cent customs duty. Security personnel and civil servants involved in the search and rescue effort will receive risk allowances and meal expenses. Injured personnel will receive free medical treatment, while families of personnel who die will receive Rs 1 million for each death.

The meeting also approved the promotion of Narayan Prasad Bhatt to secretary under the Nepal Administration Service and his appointment as chief secretary of the Office of the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers of Koshi Province.