<h1>Government Declares Bihar Floods a 'National Calamity,' Announces Duty Exemptions for Relief Materials Until February 2009.</h1> The government has declared the flood situation in Bihar a 'national calamity' and announced full duty exemptions for relief materials. Goods imported for donation and those purchased with cash donations for flood relief will be exempt from basic customs and excise duties, including the 4% CV duty. These exemptions are effective immediately and will remain valid until February 28, 2009, subject to specific certification and procedural requirements as outlined in notifications 101/2008-Customs and 48/2008-Central Excise issued on September 2, 2008.