• By Mayukh Debnath
  • Thu, 03 Oct 2024 10:49 PM (IST)
  • Source:ANI

Railway Bonus: The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved a one-time productivity-linked bonus (PLB) for Railway employees, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who holds the railway portfolio, announced on Thursday. The bonus payment, which comes ahead of Dussehra and Diwali every year, will be applicable on 78 days worth of wages this time. 

"Productivity Linked Bonus for Railway employees of Rs 2,029 cr has been approved by the cabinet for the good performance of railways which will benefit 11,72,240 employees," Vaishnaw said at a press conference.

The bonus payment will benefit a range of non-gazetted railway staff, including track maintainers, loco pilots, train managers (guards), station masters, supervisors, technicians, technician helpers, pointsmen, ministerial staff, and other Group C employees.

"The payment of PLB acts as an incentive to motivate the railway employees for working towards improvement in the performance of the Railways," according to the Cabinet's official statement. Each eligible railway employee will receive a bonus of up to Rs 17,951. Indian Railways achieved a record performance during the 2023-2024 financial year, loading 1,588 million tonnes of cargo and transporting approximately 6.7 billion passengers.

According to the Cabinet, the improvement in infrastructure, driven by record capital expenditure from the government, efficiency in operations, and better technology, contributed significantly to this achievement. The PLB also aims to recognize and encourage railway employees for their continued efforts in improving the railway's performance.

(With inputs from ANI)