New Delhi, Sep 30 (IANS) Ahead of the festive season, the government Friday approved a 78-day bonus for 12.61 lakh non-gazetted railway employees.

The cabinet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, approved the Railway Ministry’s proposal for payment of productivity-linked bonus which will cost the central exchequer Rs.1,098.58 crore.

Announcing the cabinet decision, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni said the wage calculation ceiling prescribed for payment of bonus is Rs.3,500 per month.

‘About 12.61 lakh non-gazetted railway employees are likely to benefit from the decision,’ Soni added.

The payment of bonus to eligible railway employees is made annually before Dussehra and Puja holidays.

‘The decision of the cabinet shall be implemented before the holidays for this year as well,’ the minister said.

This will be the highest bonus payment ever made by the railways.