The government on Wednesday approved the payment of productivity-linked bonus (PLB) equivalent to 78 days’ wages to all eligible non-gazetted railway employees for the 2017-18 financial year.

The move will benefit around 11.91 lakh non-gazetted railway employees.

The financial implication of the payout has been estimated at Rs 2,044.31 crore, a statement said.

The wage calculation ceiling prescribed for the payment of PLB is Rs 7,000 per month and the maximum amount payable per employee for 78 days is Rs 17,951, it said.

Productivity-linked bonus is paid each year before Dusshera and Puja holidays.

“PLB is based on the productivity indices reflecting the performance of the railways and its payment is expected to motivate the employees for working towards improving the same in the future,” officials said.