The Central government on Monday announced that the National Flag would fly at half mast throughout the country in honour of late Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Ananth Kumar who died earlier in the day in Bengaluru.

"Following the unfortunate demise of Ananth Kumar, it has been decided that the National Flag will fly at half mast throughout the country today," a Union Home Ministry statement said.

The Central government has also decided that the National Flag will be flown at half mast on the day of funeral at the place where it takes place. 

As a mark of respect, a state funeral will be accorded, it added.

Kumar, 59, died at 3 a.m. at a private hospital where he was undergoing treatment for cancer.-IANS