14/04/2020
for those who are eligible for the Druk Gyalpo Relief Kidu and how they can apply for it:
Eligibility criteria:
1.People who have been laid off or placed on unpaid leave from businesses affected by COVID-19, including Bhutanese who have returned home and do not have any source of income.
2.Employees on reduced salary. This category will be eligible for 50 percent of the total Kidu amount in order to encourage employers to retain staff.
3.Self-employed individuals who have lost their earning either partially or completely (eg taxi drivers, truck drivers, free-lance guides, etc); Self employed individuals who have lost their earnings partially (if so declared in the application form) will be eligible for 50 percent of the total Kidu amount.
If an applicant does not fit the eligibility criteria the applicant can call the toll free number 1188 where their details will be recorded for further review by the Committee.
How to apply for Kidu
1.Digital application through the website www.royalkidu.bt will be encouraged.
2.Applicants who cannot apply online can call the hotline 1188 where the operator will help them fill up the application form (9 to 5 everyday).
3.If applicants do not wish to provide their information over the phone, their contact details will be recorded, the list of all such applicants will be compiled and a convenient date and time intimated when such applicants can come physically to the designated centers for assistance.
4.Special assistance channels will be set up for the disabled.
The Kidu Amount has not been finalized yet.
Kidu time period
1. The Kidu will be available for the months of April, May and June 2020.
2.Beneficiaries who are engaged in government-funded activities at the time of application or who subsequently engage themselves in government-funded activities will be eligible for Kidu.
3.The application will be open throughout the three months and beneficiaries will recive Kidu from the month in which they apply.
How will an applicant know about the outcome of his or her application ?
1. Successful beneficiaries will be notified through SMS.
2.Applicants who are assessed as being ineligible will be notified specially through phone calls explaining why they were not found eligible. Applicants will be informed that the Kidu team will follow up to see if the applicant’s eligibility changes in the next month.
How will the beneficiaries receive Kidu
1. The Kidu will be transferred directly to their bank accounts.
2.Those who do not have a bank account will be encouraged to open a bank account in their locality.
3. Others who cannot or do not want to open a bank account will receive the Kidu in cash from the Dzongda.
To all public transportation workers, thank you
