Overview

• The Cabinet is slated to consider the proposal on Wednesday, with government sources indicating approval is likely and a post-meeting briefing planned by the information minister.
• The payout targets non-gazetted railway employees under the productivity-linked bonus scheme, which is typically calculated as wages for a set number of days and released before Dusshera.
• Indian Railways employs nearly 11 lakh people, and last year a similar bonus reached almost the same number of staff, according to prior approvals.
• Retailers and economists expect a boost to festive-season demand, citing the cash infusion to households and recent reductions in GST rates on several consumer goods.
• No official notification has been issued yet, and details on the amount and disbursal timeline remain pending until the Cabinet decision is announced.