The Union Cabinet today approved the proposal for payment of Productivity Linked Bonus, PLB, equivalent to 78 days wages, for all eligible non-gazetted railway employees for the financial year 2011-2012. The financial implication has been estimated to be Rs.1021.56 crore. The wage calculation ceiling prescribed for payment of PLB to the eligible non-gazetted railway employees is 3500 rupees per month.

AIR correspondent reports, about 12.37 lakh non-gazetted railway employees are likely to benefit from the decision. Payment of PLB to eligible railway employees is made each year before the Dusshera, Puja holidays and will be implemented before the holidays this year as well.

Also, the Union Cabinet today approved an increase in monthly pension to widows and the disabled beneficiaries from Rs. 200 to Rs. 300 under the Central Schemes of Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension and the Indira Gandhi National Disabilty Pension. It also enhanced the grant under the National Family Benefit Scheme from ten thousand to twenty thousand rupees. Our correspondent reports, that 76 lakh Below Poverty Line widows and 11 lakh below poverty line persons with severe or multiple disability would get enhanced amount of central assistance at the rate of Rs. 300 p.m. , this would be in addition to the contribution by the States. Further, 3.56 lakh BPL families will receive one time lump sum enhanced grant at the rate of Rs. 20000/- in the event of death of the primary breadwinner in the family. The eligibility criteria under the Schemes have also been revised to benefit more people. Under Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme eligibility has been revised from 40-59 years to 40-79 years.

Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme eligibility criteria has been revised from 18-59 years to 18-79 years while the eligibility under under National Family Benefit Scheme has also been revised from 18-64 years to 18-59 years.