New Delhi, 24 September (). The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the Productivity Linked Bonus (PLB) of Rs 1,866 crore for railway employees across the country. More than 10.90 lakh railway employees will get its benefit.
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav said that this bonus equal to 78 days’ salary, recognizes dedicated efforts made by railway employees to smooth operation and efficiency.
The cabinet note said that the bonus serves as an incentive to motivate railway employees to improve the performance of the railway.
According to the note, the maximum amount of Rs 17,951 of PLB is Rs 17,951 for each eligible railway employee.
The bonus will be given to railway employees of various categories like track maintainer, loco pilot, train manager (guard), station master, supervisor, technician, technician helper, pointsman, ministry employees and other group ‘C’ employees.
The cabinet said, “Railways performed very well in the year 2024-25. Railways took a record 1614.90 million tonnes of cargo and brought about 7.3 billion passengers to the destination.”
Last year, the government approved a bonus of Rs 2,029 crore, benefiting more than 11.7 lakh employees.
Additionally, the Railway Minister said that long -awaited Vande Bharat sleeper trains will be started soon.
Giving information to the media on Tuesday, he said that the first train has already succeeded in all the necessary tests and is standing at the Shakur Basti coach depot in Delhi, while the second train is likely to be ready by mid -October.
Vaishnav said, “Both trains will be started simultaneously to ensure the continuity of overnight services.”
Manufactured by government company BEML using Integral Coach Factory Technology, the Vande Bharat Sleeper Train will have 16 coaches, which will be divided into AC First Class, AC 2-Tier and AC 3-Tier.
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