Information & Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur briefing the press about the Cabinet decisions in New Delhi on Wednesday

The Union Cabinet today gave its approval for payment of Productivity Linked Bonus to railway employees for the financial year 2021-22, according to an official statement.

Payment of PLB to eligible railway employees is made each year before the Dusshera/Puja holidays.  This year also, PLB amount equivalent to 78 days wages has been paid to about 11.27 lakh non-gazetted Railway employees.  The total financial implication of the payment of 78 days PLB to railway employees has been estimated to be Rs. 1832.09 crore.

The maximum amount payable per eligible railway employee is Rs. 17,951/- for 78 days.  The above amount has been paid to various categories viz.  Track maintainers, Drivers & Guards, Station masters, Supervisors, Technician, Technician Helper, controller, Pointsmen, Ministerial staff & other Group ‘C’ staff.

The above decision for payment of PLB has been taken despite the adverse financial situation caused by post Covid-19 challenges in order to boost the morale of the railway staff.

The actual number of PLB days paid is more than the days worked out on the basis of defined formulae.  The payment of PLB acts as an incentive to motivate the railway employees for working towards improvement in the performance of the Railways.