New Delhi: In a festive boost for railway staff, the Union Cabinet has approved a Productivity Linked Bonus (PLB) of ₹1,866 crore for 10.91 lakh railway employees for the financial year 2024–25.
Announcing the decision, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the PLB is equivalent to 78 days of wages, with the maximum payout capped at ₹17,951 per eligible employee. The annual bonus is traditionally released ahead of Durga Puja and Diwali, serving as a morale booster for workers across the network.
Last year, the Centre sanctioned a higher PLB of ₹2,029 crore, benefitting 11.72 lakh employees.
Who Benefits?
The scheme will cover a wide range of Group ‘C’ staff, including:
- Track maintainers
- Locomotive pilots
- Train managers (guards)
- Station masters
- Supervisors
- Technicians and helpers
- Pointsmen
- Ministerial staff
Railway Performance in 2024–25
The Railways recorded historic growth in the past year, loading 1,614.90 million tonnes of freight and carrying nearly 7.3 billion passengers. Officials said the PLB reflects the government’s recognition of employees’ contribution to this performance.
Festive Season Economic Impact
The payout is expected to boost consumer demand during the festive season. Retailers and businesses anticipate a surge in sales of electronics, clothing, appliances, and festive essentials, especially after recent GST rate cuts.
Infrastructure Push
Alongside the PLB announcement, Vaishnaw revealed that the Cabinet cleared projects worth ₹94,000–95,000 crore across multiple sectors. Notably, the Bakhtiyarpur–Rajgir–Tilaiya railway line has been approved for doubling, which will substantially increase passenger and freight capacity.
