Diwali comes with huge happiness for railway workers. The Centre on Wednesday approved a productivity-linked bonus for over 12 lakh non-gazetted Railways employees, to be paid before the Dusshera holidays. The bonus, equivalent to wages of 78 days, is estimated to cost the Railways ₹2,245 crore. Railway Protection Force and Railway Protection Special Force personnel are excluded from receiving the bonus, which is paid to employees every year.
The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved a productivity linked bonus (PLB) equivalent to 78 days for Railways employees, which will be paid before the Dussehra holidays. The estimated Rs 2,245.45 crores bonus will go to around 12.30 lakh non-gazetted workers, the government said in a press release.
“The wage calculation ceiling prescribed for payment of PLB is Rs. 7,000/- p.m. The maximum amount payable per eligible railway employee is Rs. 17,951 for 78 days,” the release said. Railway Protection Force and Railway Protection Special Force personnel will not receive the bonus.
The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This bonus is paid to railway employees every year.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said in a press conference: “According to the formula, it was calculated to be given for 72 days but for the past six years it has been a tradition of giving them the bonus for 78 days, so the Cabinet has approved a 78-day productivity linked bonus for them.”