2 hrs ago
Railway Union Seeks Higher Dussehra Bonus Ceiling
A railway employees’ group wants the government to increase the amount used to calculate their yearly bonus.
This bonus is paid to non-gazetted railway workers before the Durga Puja and Dussehra holidays.
The group says the current calculation uses a pay limit of ₹7,000.
That limit was set in 2014-15.
Workers’ pay and dearness allowance have increased since then.
The group is asking for a minimum limit of ₹18,000 plus dearness allowance for Level-1 workers.
It wants higher limits for workers in higher pay levels.
The group says the current bonus is about ₹17,951, but a new calculation could produce ₹46,184.
Railway workers’ bonus is calculated for 78 days, while the bonus for other central government employees is calculated for 30 days.
The Indian Railways Technical Supervisors’ Association urged the Centre to raise the Productivity Linked Bonus ceiling for non-gazetted railway employees.
It proposed a minimum ceiling of ₹18,000 plus dearness allowance for Level-1 employees, with proportionate increases for higher levels.
The association said the existing ₹7,000 ceiling was fixed in 2014-15 and no longer reflects the 7th Pay Commission or 60% DA.
IRTSA said the current railway bonus is effectively ₹17,951, while applying 60% DA alone would raise it to ₹27,824.
Using ₹18,000 basic pay for 78 days, IRTSA calculated a minimum bonus of ₹46,184 for railway employees.
- Who
- The Indian Railways Technical Supervisors’ Association, led in the letter by Secretary General KV Ramesh, made the demand; the letter was sent to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
- What
- The association wants the Productivity Linked Bonus wage ceiling for non-gazetted railway employees raised to at least ₹18,000 plus dearness allowance for Level-1 workers, with proportionate increases for higher levels.
- Where
- The demand concerns non-gazetted employees of the Indian Railways and the central government.
- When
- The demand was made in a letter dated September 8; the bonus is announced and paid annually before the Durga Puja and Dussehra holidays.
- Why
- The association says the existing ₹7,000 ceiling, fixed in 2014-15, does not reflect 7th Pay Commission salaries or the current 60% dearness allowance.
Higher Ceiling Advocates
Existing Framework
Appropriate wage ceiling
Higher Ceiling Advocates
IRTSA says the ₹7,000 ceiling is outdated and wants it raised to at least ₹18,000 plus dearness allowance for Level-1 railway employees, with proportionate increases for higher levels.
Existing Framework
The existing Productivity Linked Bonus calculation continues to use the ₹7,000 ceiling established in 2014-15.
Bonus amount
Higher Ceiling Advocates
IRTSA says applying the current 60% dearness allowance to the earlier calculation would produce ₹27,824, and that using ₹18,000 basic pay for 78 days would produce ₹46,184.
Existing Framework
Under the current calculation described in the articles, the annual railway bonus works out to ₹17,951.
Scope of employee demands
Higher Ceiling Advocates
IRTSA’s demand follows a request from the National Council–Joint Consultative Machinery to raise the ceiling for all non-gazetted central government employees from ₹7,000 to ₹21,000.
Existing Framework
Different calculation rules remain in place: railway employees receive a bonus based on 78 days, while other central government employees’ bonus is based on 30 days.
Key facts
- Existing PLB ceiling
- ₹7,000, fixed in Financial Year 2014-15
- Requested Level-1 ceiling
- ₹18,000 plus dearness allowance
- Current railway PLB
- ₹17,951
- Current dearness allowance
- 60%
- Bonus after DA-only adjustment
- ₹27,824, according to IRTSA
- IRTSA proposed minimum calculation
- ₹46,184 based on ₹18,000 basic pay for 78 days
- Railway bonus period
- 78 days, compared with 30 days for other central government employees
Sources
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