KATHMANDU: The government on Monday decided to declare public holiday on September 18, in eight districts of Province 2 where the third phase of local level elections will be held.

Minister of Land Reform and Management Gopal Dahit said the Cabinet also decided to close schools and educational institutions in Province 2 from September 15 to 19 to facilitate the poll process.

Among other decisions, the government appointed Gyan Chandra Acharya as its financial adviser and extended validity of passports of children of Nepalis living abroad to four years from two years.

The government also decided to accept Rs 1.05 billion as grant from the World Bank. It also decided to register a bill relating to the election of the president and vice-president. It appointed Narendra Raj Basnet as chairman of High Power Committee to Integrated Development of Bagmati Civilisation.