Diwali bonanza: Non-Productivity Linked Bonus 2022 approved for central government employees | Check eligibility, calculation

Diwali bonanza, Govt approves Non-Productivity Linked Bonus 2022: The Government of India in an Office Memorandum (O.M.) dated 6th October 2022 approved the grant of Non-Productivity Linked Bonus (ad-hoc bonus) to Central Government Employees in Group C and all non-gazetted employees in Group B, who are not covered by any Productivity linked bonus scheme.

The Department of Expenditure (DOE) under the Ministry of Finance said "The ad-hoc bonus will be equivalent to 30 days emoluments for the Financial Year 2021-22." " “Non-Productivity Linked Bonus (Ad-hoc Bonus) equivalent to 30 days emoluments for the accounting year 2021-22 to the Central Government employees in Group ‘C’ and all non-gazetted employees in Group ‘B’, who are not covered by any Productivity Linked Bonus Scheme," it noted. 

It further noted, "The calculation ceiling for payment of ad-hoc bonus shall be monthly emoluments of Rs. 7000." The DOE said "The payment of ad-hoc bonus will also be admissible to the eligible employees of Central Para Military Forces and Armed Forces. It will also be extended to the employees of Union Territory Administration which follow the Central Government pattern of emoluments and are not covered by any other bonus or ex-gratia scheme."

Bonus for Casual labour 

The DOE said that the casual labour who have worked in offices following a 6 days week for at least 240 days for each year for 3 years or more (206 days in each year for 3 years or more in the case of offices observing 5 day week), will be eligible for this Non-PLB (Ad-hoc Bonus) Payment. The amount of Non-PLB (ad-hoc bonus) payable will be (Rs.1200×30/30.4 i.e.Rs.1184.21 (rounded off to Rs.1184). In cases where the actual emoluments fall below Rs.1200 per month, the amount will be calculated on actual monthly emoluments.

Productivity-linked bonus to railway employees 

The government had earlier given approval to Productivity Linked Bonus (PLB) equivalent to 78 days wage to eligible non-gazetted railway employees for the financial year 2021-22. The decision is likely to benefit around 11.27 lakh non-gazetted railway employees. This, however, excludes RPF/RPSF personnel. 

This payment will be made before Dussehra/puja holidays, bringing smile to lakhs of families ahead of the festive season. The financial implication of payment of 78 days' PLB to railway employees has been estimated to be Rs 1,832.09 crores. The wage calculation ceiling prescribed for payment of PLB is Rs 7,000 p.m. The maximum amount payable per eligible railway employee is Rs 17,951 for 78 days, the statement said.

The railways in past three years have undertaken a series of steps to regain market share in freight and increase realization in passenger fares through suitable policy initiatives, it said.

As a result, in the current year (2022-23), the railways have regained momentum in receipts, disrupted previously due to the pandemic. In F.Y. 2021-22, the railways achieved incremental freight loading of 184 million tonnes which is highest ever (Total 1418 million tonnes), it said.

(PTI Inputs)