Modi govt's Dusshera bonus to benefit about 11.58 lakh non-gazetted Railway employees

New Delhi: The Modi government has announced big bonuses for over 30 lakh employees during the dusshera season for which it will spend Rs 3,737 crore.

"About 11.58 lakh non-gazetted Railway employees have been granted bonus equivalent to 78 days wages for FY 2019-20 .This Productivity linked bonus to railway employees has been estimated to be of Rs. 2081.68 crores," an official release said.

The Union Cabinet in its meeting held on October 21 accepted the proposal of the Ministry of Railways for payment of Productivity Linked Bonus (PLB) equivalent to 78 days’ wages for the financial year 2019-2020 for all eligible non-gazetted Railway employees (excluding RPF/RPSF personnel). The financial implication of payment of 78 days’ PLB to railway employees has been estimated to be Rs. 2081.68 crores.  

"The wage calculation ceiling prescribed for payment of PLB to the eligible non-gazetted railway employees is Rs 7000 p.m. The maximum amount payable per eligible railway employee is Rs 17,951 for 78 days. About 11.58 lakh non-gazetted Railway employees are likely to benefit from the decision," the release said.

The Productivity Linked Bonus on Railway covers all non-gazetted railway employees (excluding RPF/RPSF personnel) who are spread over the entire country. Payment of PLB to eligible railway employees is made each year before the Dusshera/ Puja holidays.  The decision of the Cabinet shall be implemented before the holidays for this year as well. For the year 2019-20 PLB equivalent to 78 days’ wages will be paid which is expected to motivate the employees for working towards improving the performance of the Railways.

Payment of PLB to eligible railway employees is made each year before the Dusshera/ Puja holidays. The decision of the Cabinet shall be implemented before the holidays for this year as well.

It may be noted that though this payment is being made for last year’s performance i.e. 2019-20 , even this year during COVID period,  a lot of hard work has been put in by Railways employees in movement of shramik specials , for movement of essential commodities including Foodgrains, Fertilizers, Coal etc and completion of more than 200 vital maintenance projects  during lock down period  which would boost safety and all round  efficiency in railway operations.

Even on the freight side there has been major improvement post COVID lock down period. Freight speeds have almost doubled now as compared to last year. Freight loading has also increased by 14% for period of October 2020 as compared to similar period last year.

The payment of the PLB for 2019-20 is expected to motivate the employees for working towards improving the performance of the Railways further. The acknowledgement of their work will enhance the sense of inclusiveness and belongingness in Railway families. It is expected to enhance the productivity levels further.

It is also expected to help in consumer spending and boosting demand during the festive times.