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Cabinet approves 78-day bonus worth Rs 2,009 crore for 11.4 lakh railway employees ahead of Diwali
On Wednesday, the Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved a productivity-linked bonus equivalent to 78 days' wages for around 11.4 lakh Indian Railways employees.
Strong operational results in 2025-26 prompted the decision, as the Railways recorded cargo loading of 1,670 million tonnes and transported nearly 7.41 billion passengers.
With a total cost of Rs 2,009 crore, the maximum bonus payment reaches Rs 17,951 per employee, covering track maintainers, loco pilots, and ministerial staff.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw described the disbursement as a 'Diwali gift,' with payments scheduled ahead of Durga Puja and Dussehra holidays.
The Railway Board recently warned against a forged letter claiming higher payouts, while the Indian Railways Technical Supervisors' Association continues seeking a revision of the Rs 7,000 wage ceiling.