About 1.16 million railway employees to get bonus equivalent to 78 days’ wages
26 Oct 2020
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The government’s decision to pay productivity-linked bonus to non-gazetted employees of PSUs and government undertakings would benefit about 1.16 million non-gazetted employees of the Railways who will get bonus equivalent to 78 days wages for FY 2019-20.
The financial implication of payment of 78 days’ PLB to railway employees has been estimated at Rs2,081.68 crores.
The union cabinet at its meeting on Wednesday 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 employees (excluding RPF/RPSF personnel).
The wage calculation ceiling prescribed for payment of PLB to the eligible non-gazetted railway employees is Rs7,000 pm. The maximum amount payable per eligible railway employee is Rs17,951 for 78 days. About 1.16 million non-gazetted railway employees are likely to benefit from the decision.
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 will 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, a ministry release stated.
It may be noted that during the Covid times, a lot of hard work has been put in by railway 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 per cent 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.
