The Druk Gyalpo’s Relief Kidu has been extended till June next year. The kidu will be granted through His Majesty’s Kidu Fund and the Sungchob Fund, established by Their Majesties as a security fund for the country during times of need. Upon Royal Command, the Prime Minister, Dr Lotay Tshering, made the announcement yesterday morning coinciding with the auspicious occasion of Zhabdrung Kuchoe.
The Prime Minister informed the nation that the Druk Gyalpo’s Relief Kidu, which was in effect since April last year, ended last month. But considering the ongoing social-economic difficulties the people face due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the uncertainties stemming from regional and global developments, His Majesty commanded the continuation of Relief Kidu for another 15 months.
“Yesterday we received a command saying that we can’t use revenue meant for developmental activities. We can’t also borrow money to solve present problems. His Majesty the Fourth King and His Majesty The King has envisioned these kinds of problems and have discussed and has a special security fund. From now on for 15 months, which is till June next year, all kidu programmes will be provided from His Majesty’s special security fund,” said Dr Lotay Tshering, the Prime Minister.
While making the announcement, the Prime Minister recalled His Majesty’s Coronation Address to the nation, which has always resonated in His Majesty’s actions.
Upon Royal Command, the National Resilience Fund was set up in April 2020 to provide economic relief to people through the Druk Gyalpo’s Relief Kidu. The Relief Kidu granted monthly income support to individuals and loan interest payment support to borrowers.
As per the Druk Gyalpo’s Relief Kidu page, during the last one year, over 37,000 people and their children have been granted monthly income support Kidu. At the same time, close to 140,000 loan accounts benefited from the interest payment support.
Samten Dolkar
