NEW DELHI: Railway employees are likely to be given 78-day wages as productivity-linked bonus (PLB) for the fiscal 2014-15, the same as in the last three years, despite the financial crunch.

The proposal to give 78-day bonus to railwaymen is likely to come up at the Cabinet meeting, sources said.

If the Cabinet decides tomorrow for a 78-day bonus then about 12 lakh railway employees will get about Rs 8897 as bonus this month, they said.

There will be about 11 lakh railway employees who will get the benefit of PLB and it is estimated to cost more than Rs 800 crores to the public transporter.

In 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14 also, 78-day wages were given as PLB to railway employees.

Productivity-linked bonus is paid to railway employees each year before the Dussehra festival.

However, General Secreatry of National Railway Federation of Indian Railwaymen M Raghavaiah said "We are demanding to increase the ceiling of Rs 3,500 per month as Labour Ministry has also advocated for the hike in bonus and we have written to Prime Minister for this.

"But since the election code of conduct is in force, the government has to have special permission from the Election Commission to raise the amount."

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