Staff Reporter 

The Druk Gyalpo’s Relief Kidu received 13,409 applications from the start of the lockdown on December 20 until January 14, according to a press release.

Of that 96 percent of the applicants, which includes regular kidu beneficiaries as well as lockdown support kidu beneficiaries, have been granted kidu amounting to Nu 302 million.

Applications for kidu had drastically reduced from November, averaging 10 per day in early December.

There was a surge immediately after the continuation of the kidu was announced on December 24, 2020.

Ration support kidu has been provided so lockdown, with the majority in Thimphu.

The Druk Gyalpo’s Relief Kidu was extended for three months until March.

According to a press release from the Druk Gyalpo’s Relief Kidu office (DGRK), the kidu grants Nu 10,000 and Nu 7,000 for the full and partial monthly amounts, respectively.

Applications can be lodged at www.royalkidu.bt or by calling the following toll free numbers: 1184 for Phuentsholing or Chukha, and 1186, 1187 or 1188 for other dzongkhags.

Applicants can also contact the respective dzongkhag administration or drangpons.  For queries and assistance, applicants can contact 77359783, 77359784, 77359795, 17342162, 17467860, and 17517356.

Of the 43,855 applications received between April and November, 78 percent or 34,384 applicants received kidu at least once while 9,471 were not eligible and never received kidu.

Over 25,000 children were also covered under the Child Support Kidu of Nu 800 per child per month between April and November. Relief kidu of Nu 1.4 billion has been granted through the National Resilience Fund within that period.