The central government has approved bonus for 30 lakh non-gazetted employees ahead of the festive season. This will cost government Rs 3,737 crore.
Announcing the decision approved by the Union Cabinet, Union minister Prakash Javdekar said that both the productivity linked bonus and non-productivity linked bonus have been approved.
The Union Minister said that if middle-class people have money in their hands during the festive season, then the demand will soar up.
Because of the Coronavirus pandemic, there was uncertainty among the government employees regarding the bonus as the government was financially struggling. The announcement brings joy among the government employees.
Generally, such bonuses by the government are announced before Dussehra. As there was not any announcements before, the government employees were not sure if they’ll get bonus this year. Prakash Javdekar said that the bonus will be given in a single installment and through direct benefit transfer. The bonus will be given before Vijaydashmi and by next week.
The bonus will be handed out to 17 lakh non-gazzeted employees from commercial establishments like, post office, EPFO, railways, ESIC, etc. will get their productivity linked bonus. Other 13 lakh employees will receive their non-productivity linked bonus.
A union of railways staff, All India Railways Federation earlier called for a nationwide strike on 22 October for two hours with a demand to immediate provide the bonus. The union had said that the government should not deny employees’ bonus citing Coronavirus pandemic.