Railway staff to get 78-day productivity-linked bonus

FESTIVAL GIFT About 12.30 lakh nongazetted employees will benefit

NEW DELHI: The Cabinet on Wednesday approved payment of productivity-linked bonus equivalent to 78 days’ wages to eligible non-gazetted railway employees for the financial year 2016-17.

The financial implication of payment of 78 days’ PLB to railway employees has been estimated to be ₹2,245.45 crore.

“The payment would serve as an incentive, and result in motivating a large number of railway employees, particularly those involved in execution and operations of railways, to improve their productivity and ensure safety, speed and service for railway customers,” a government press statement said.

About 12.30 lakh non-gazetted railway employees are likely to benefit from the decision. The payment will be made before Dussehra/puja holidays.

CENTRE TO EXIT THREE ITDC HOTELS

The Centre on Wednesday decided to exit three ITDC hotels, including Jaipur Ashok, and hand them over to the state governments concerned.

The cabinet committee on economic affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the transfer of India Tourism Development Corporation Ltd (ITDC) hotels Jaipur Ashok and Lalitha Mahal Palace Mysore to the governments of Rajasthan and Karnataka. It also cleared disinvestment of ITDC’S 51% equity in Donyi Polo Ashok, Itanagar, in favour of Arunachal Pradesh.

KHELO INDIA TO FOCUS ON ALL-ROUND GROWTH

Sports minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore on Wednesday said the Khelo India initiative, which focussed on infrastructure development till now, will look to ensure all-round growth in its revamped form. The government has approved ₹1,756 crore for a period of three years for the revamp.

“A holistic approach has to be taken and there will be a seamless network which will enable a pathway from schools to Olympics,” Rathore said after a cabinet meeting.

COST NORMS REVISED UNDER ICDS SCHEME

The Union cabinet on Wednesday approved the increase in the per day cost of supplementary nutrition given to children under three years, pregnant and lactating mothers and severely

THE FINANCIAL IMPLICATION OF PAYMENT OF BONUS TO RAILWAY EMPLOYEES HAS BEEN ESTIMATED TO BE ₹2,245.45 CRORE

malnourished children, as part of the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme.

While the per day cost per beneficiary for children between six months and three years has been increased from ₹6 to ₹8, for pregnant women and lactating mothers the rate has been revised from ₹7 to ₹9.5. For severely malnourished children, the cost has been revised from ₹9 to ₹12.5.

‘MEDICAL COMMISSION BILL IN FINAL STAGES’

The National Medical Commission Bill 2016 is in the final stages, said Union health minister JP Nadda during the Cabinet media briefing on Wednesday. Once approved, the National Medical Commission Bill will replace the country’s medical education regulator Medical Council of India.

“The Bill is finalised and currently with the law ministry,” said Nadda.

UDAAN FOR J&K YOUTHS EXTENDED UP TO 2018

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs cleared the proposal to extend the time period of the Special Industry Initiative for J&K — Udaan till December 31, 2018 without any modification and cost escalation. Initially the time period was up to 2016-17.

Udaan provides exposure to the youth of J&K to the best of corporate India and corporate India to the rich talent pool available in the state.