In a festive season gift for railway staff, the central government has approved a Productivity Linked Bonus (PLB) of ₹1,865.68 crore following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s directive. This bonus, equivalent to 78 days’ salary, will benefit over 1.1 million railway employees across India, giving a substantial boost to their finances ahead of Diwali.

Bonus Details

• Eligible Employees: Includes track maintainers, loco pilots, train managers (guards), station masters, supervisors, technicians, pointsmen, ministerial staff, and other Group C and D employees.

• Bonus Amount: Maximum ₹17,951 per employee, based on performance and productivity.

• Purpose: To reward employees’ hard work and support them financially during the festive season, especially with increased shopping after GST reductions.

Unions’ Ongoing Demands

While employees will receive the PLB, major railway unions are pushing for further reforms:

• IREF & AIRF: Seeking an increase in bonus and alignment with the Seventh Pay Commission, as current calculations use the outdated Sixth Pay Commission minimum wage of ₹7,000.

• Union Demands: Remove the ₹7,000 monthly cap and update bonus calculations according to current pay structures.

Historical Context

Last year, on October 3, the Union Cabinet approved PLBs for over 11.72 lakh employees. Timely bonus announcements like this one not only provide financial relief but also recognize the dedication and productivity of railway staff.