New Delhi: The Union Cabinet has approved a 78-day productivity-linked bonus for approximately 11.40 lakh railway employees ahead of Diwali. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the decision would cost the government around 2,009 crore Rupees, according to a report by Dainik Bhaskar.
The decision was taken at the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday. The bonus is intended to provide financial support to railway employees ahead of the festive season.
Alongside the bonus, the Cabinet approved changes to disability pension rules. According to the supplied report, the eligibility threshold for people with disabilities present from birth has been reduced from 80% to 40%. The revised provision is intended to extend pension benefits to more eligible individuals.
The Cabinet also decided to continue the National Widow Pension Scheme and the old-age pension scheme for another five years. These schemes provide financial assistance to eligible beneficiaries.
Another change concerns the names of three pension schemes. The report states that the schemes, previously known as Indira Gandhi pension schemes, will have the words “Indira Gandhi” removed from their names and will be renamed under the Pradhan Mantri Pension Yojana naming framework.
The reported decisions cover railway employee benefits, disability pension eligibility and the continuation of social welfare assistance. However, the detailed implementation guidelines, effective dates and eligibility documentation for the revised disability pension rules were not provided in the supplied report.
Beneficiaries are advised to consult the relevant government department or official scheme notification for the precise eligibility conditions and application procedures once the revised rules are formally issued.
