New Delhi :The government announced 7-day State mourning as the mark of respect to former PM  Atal Bihari Vajpayee national flag to be flown half-mast throughout the country till 22nd August, as DD news reported.

On the other hand, Union Cabinet declared the  half-day holiday in an afternoon in all central government offices and CPSUs across the country. Several state governments also announced holiday today.

"Delhi police have made elaborate security arrangements for the last rites procession. It will be ensured that the people who come to pay last respect & the commuters face minimum inconvenience & that there is no compromise with security, "said Delhi DCP Madhur Verma.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat paid tribute to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at his residence in Delhi.

Javed Akhtar & Shabana Azmi arrive at former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee's residence to pay last respects. Javed Akhtar says,'very rare that a politician is respected across party lines. People with different ideology have also come as they love him because he used to love all' Delhi.

Kerala governor P. Sathasivam & Tamil Nadu governor Banwarilal Purohit paid tributes to former Prime Minister and Bharat Ratan Atal Bihari Vajpayee at his residence in Delhi.

On behalf of DMK our leader MK Stalin has come here to pay his respects to former Vajpayee ji.

"I recall how certain forces wanted to dismiss the DMK govt & Vajpayee ji stood his ground on democratic principles & said he will never do it", said Dayanidhi Maran, DMK in Delhi