The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today has given its ex-post facto approval for payment of Productivity Linked Bonus to railway employees for the financial year 2021-22.
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 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, controllers, Pointsmen, Ministerial staff & other Group ‘C’ staff.
The financial implication of payment of 78 days PLB to railway employees has been estimated to be Rs. 1832.09 crores. The above decision for payment of PLB has been taken despite the adverse financial situation caused by post-Covid-19 challenges.
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.
The railways said in the past three years, it has undertaken a series of steps to regain market share in freight and increase realisation in passenger fares through suitable policy initiatives. As a result, in the current year (2022-23), railways have regained momentum in receipts, disrupted previously due to the pandemic.
In FY 2021-22, the railways achieved incremental freight loading of 184 million tonnes which is the highest ever. The payment of PLB would serve as an incentive and result in motivating a large number of Railways employees, particularly those involved in the execution and operations of railways, to improve their productivity and ensure safety, speed and service for Railway customers.
The payment of PLB will also boost the demand in the economy in the upcoming festival season.