Big Diwali cheer: Government approves 60-day productivity-linked bonus for these employees

• Group ‘C’ and non-gazetted Group ‘B’ employees

• Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS) – will get an ex-gratia bonus

• Full-Time Casual Labourers – will get an ad-hoc bonus

The government has decided to release this bonus before Diwali to provide employees with both relief and joy during the festive season.

The calculation of PLB or equivalent payment for different categories of postal employees for the financial year 2024–25 will be based on separate criteria.

"Emoluments" include basic pay, dearness pay, special benefits allowance, duty allowance, dearness allowance, and training allowance for faculty members.

However, if the emoluments in any month exceed ₹7,000, they will be capped at ₹7,000 for bonus purposes. For employees who took extraordinary leave (EOL) or had dies-non periods, proportional deductions will apply.

Those who retired, resigned, or were deputed (within or outside the Department) after 31.03.2025 will still be eligible, and their bonus will be calculated proportionately.

For Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS), the ex-gratia bonus will be based on their average Time Related Continuity Allowance (TRCA) plus Dearness Allowance, using the same formula: (Average TRCA × 60) ÷ 30.4, again with a cap of ₹7,000 per month.

Substitutes are not eligible, and GDSs who worked part of the year due to appointment, removal, or resignation will receive a proportionate bonus. Those who left after 31.03.2025 will also be entitled to a proportionate bonus. Cases involving suspension or dies-non will be handled as per earlier departmental guidelines.

For full-time casual labourers, including those with temporary status, an ad-hoc bonus will be paid if they have worked 8 hours a day for at least 240 days in each of the last three years (or 206 days annually in five-day week offices).

Their bonus will be calculated on a notional wage of ₹1,200 per month, using the formula: (₹1,200 × 60) ÷ 30.4, and then further adjusted based on the number of actual days worked in the year. If their actual monthly wage falls below ₹1,200, the bonus will be calculated using the actual wage instead.

The amount payable as productivity-linked bonus, ex-gratia, or ad-hoc bonus under this order will be rounded off to the nearest rupee. These payments will be charged to the ‘Rewards’ head under the respective Sub-Head of Account to which the employees' pay and allowances are normally debited. The expenditure will be met from the sanctioned budget for the financial year 2025–26.