Cabinet approves bonus for central employees, over 30 lakh to benefit

The Union Cabinet has approved around 30.67 lakh bonus. The Central government employees will receive a bonus for 2019-2020, Union minister Prakash Javadekar said, bringing an end to the uncertainty over the issue as the festive season started across the country. Also Read | Maharashtra: BJP leader Eknath Khadse quits party, to join NCP The total cost to the exchequer will be ₹ 3,737 Crore, the minister said after a cabinet meeting chaired by PM Narendra Modi. "The Union Cabinet approves productivity-linked bonus and non-productivity linked Bonus for 2019-2020. More than 30 lakh non-gazetted employees will be benefited by the bonus announcement and total financial implication will be ₹ 3,737 crores," Union minister Prakash Javadekar stated. The money will be given in a single installment before Vijaya Dashami, Mr Javadekar said, hoping that it would encourage spending and boost the economy. Because of the coronavirus outbreak, there have been concerns on whether the government will offer bonus. Earlier this year, as the lockdown started, Dearness Allowances or DA was suspended for Central Government employees. A chunk of employees in various state governments had to forego part of their salary. The Central Government said the cabinet approved the Productivity-Linked Bonus or PLB for 2019-2020, that would benefit 16.97 lakh non-gazette employees of commercial establishments like railways, posts, defence, EPFO and the ESIC. Also Read | 7 Bills passed on Day 3 of Punjab Vidhan Sabha Non-PLB or ad-hoc bonus is given to non-gazette Central government employees, from which 13.70 lakh employees will benefit, the government said. Bonus to non-gazette employees; meant for performance in the preceding year is usually made before the Durga Puja or Dussehra festival. -PTC News