Union Minister Prakash Javadekar said the move will benefit more than 11.52 lakh railway employees

Highlights Payment of productivity-linked bonus to cost government Rs 2,024 crore

Railway staff to get bonus for sixth year in a row

Bonus acknowledged employees' contribution to efficient operations

More than 11.5 lakh railway employees will get a bonus this festive season equivalent to 78 days' salary, the government said today after the Union Cabinet cleared the proposal. This is the sixth straight year when the railway employees will get a productivity-linked bonus from the government, said Union Minister Prakash Javadekar after the Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Describing the bonus as "a reward for productivity", Mr Javadekar said it will help the government maintain high levels of motivation among the railway personnel.

The bonus to railways employees will cost the government Rs 2,024.40 crore, he said.

The approved bonus is for non-gazetted railway employees for financial year 2018-19, the official statement said, and excludes Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Railway Protection Special Force (RPSF) staff.

11.52 lakh Railway employees to get 78 days wages as bonus. This is a reward for productivity: Union Minister @PrakashJavdekar#CabinetDecisionspic.twitter.com/uolfd2Q1io — PIB India (@PIB_India) September 18, 2019

The productivity-linked bonus is aimed at acknowledging the employees' contribution to efficient railway operations, an official statement said. It will "result in motivating a large number of railway employees to improve the performance of the Railways and enhance the productivity levels further, besides maintaining industrial peace".

#Cabinet approves productivity linked bonus to railway employees.



11.52 lakh Railway employees to get 78 days wages as bonus. #CabinetDecisionspic.twitter.com/51OLmGL06K Sitanshu Kar (@DG_PIB) September 18, 2019

This acknowledgement will enhance the sense of inclusiveness and equity among the large number of railwaymen and their families, the government said.

A similar bonus of 78 days' wages was awarded to railway employees for financial year 2017-18 in October last year.