States » NorthPosted at: Sep 17 2026 1:36PM


Railway employees’ body seeks revision of PLB ceiling, links demand to pay, DA and productivity

Panchkula, Sep 17 (UNI) The Indian Railways Technical Supervisors’ Association (IRTSA) has asked the Centre to revise the Rs 7,000 monthly emolument ceiling used for calculating Productivity Linked Bonus (PLB) for non-gazetted railway employees, saying it has remained unchanged despite the introduction of the Seventh Pay Commission scales and subsequent increases in dearness allowance.
In a representation to union Ministers Nirmala Sitharaman and Ashwini Vaishnaw, the association sought the revision of the ceiling for Pay Level-1 employees to Rs 18,000 plus DA, and the removal of the ceiling for employees in Pay Level-2 and above, with their PLB calculated according to their respective pay levels.
The representation, dated September 8, relates to PLB for railway employees for the financial year 2025-26.
IRTSA said the monthly emolument ceiling of Rs 7,000 was fixed through a Railway Board order in September 2016 and has remained unchanged, with a PLB amount of Rs 17,951 for 78 days.
It argued that the entry pay for the lowest railway grade, Pay Level-1, was fixed at Rs 18,000 with effect from January 1, 2016. On that basis, it calculated that PLB for 78 days would work out to Rs 46,184 — Rs 18,000 multiplied by 78 and divided by 30.4.
The association also sought to link its demand to the rise in DA. Its calculations show that if increases in DA were factored into the Rs 7,000 ceiling, PLB would have risen from Rs 17,951 to Rs 18,669 in 2016-17, Rs 20,105 in 2018-19, Rs 24,054 in 2021-22, Rs 26,927 in 2023-24 and Rs 27,824 in 2024-25.
For 2025-26, taking what the association described as a 60% DA increase into account, it calculated the PLB at Rs 28,722.
IRTSA separately argued that railway productivity has risen substantially over the past decade.
According to figures cited in its representation, freight net tonne kilometres increased 42.32%, from 682,612 million in 2014-15 to 971,460 million in 2024-25.
The association said staff strength fell from 1.326 million to 1.299 million over the same period and described the reduction as 7.32%. It claimed that the output-input ratio in terms of freight net tonne kilometres and staff strength consequently increased by 53.55%.
IRTSA calculated that a proportionate increase based on freight net tonne kilometres would have resulted in a PLB of ₹27,564.
The association also cited Labour Ministry notifications dated August 25, 2026, saying the NC-JCM and railway federations had demanded enhancement of the PLB ceiling to Rs 21,000 from the existing Rs 7,000.
IRTSA urged the government to revise the ceiling for Pay Level-1 employees and remove the ceiling for employees in Pay Level-2 and above, linking their PLB calculation to their pay level.
UNI KK ATP ARN
Tags: #Railway employees’ body seeks revision of PLB ceiling# links demand to pay# DA and productivity
More News

Restoration of full statehood, constitutional safeguards among central political concerns of J&K: JKAP Chief

17 Sep 2026 | 4:12 PM

Jammu, Sep 18 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party (JKAP) president Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Thursday reiterated that restoration of full statehood and adequate constitutional safeguards relating to land, jobs and the rights of the people remain among the central political concerns of Jammu and Kashmir.

see more..

Children must develop reading habits, skills, and sense of nation-building: LG Sandhu

17 Sep 2026 | 4:07 PM

Lucknow, Sep 17 (UNI) Reading helps people develop the ability to think, understand, and explore new ideas, said Taranjit Singh Sandhu, Delhi Lieutenant Governor, as he interacted with students during this year’s Gomti Book Festival at Lucknow University on Thursday.

see more..

Three J&K siblings to represent India at Asian Masters Swimming Championship

17 Sep 2026 | 3:39 PM

Jammu, Sep 17 (UNI) Three siblings from Jammu and Kashmir have qualified to represent India at the Second Asian Masters Swimming scheduled to be held in Bengaluru, Karnataka, from October 4 to 10.

see more..

Centre proposes schedule K exemption for emergency contraceptive pills, mandates boxed warnings

17 Sep 2026 | 3:13 PM

New Delhi, Sep 17 (UNI) The Centre has proposed bringing levonorgestrel 0.75 mg and 1.5 mg emergency contraceptive tablets under Schedule K of the Drugs Rules, 1945, while requiring their packs to carry prominent warnings against regular or repeated use.

see more..

Omar Abdullah plans patient guest houses in Amritsar, Chandigarh; says Ladakh must seek written safeguards

17 Sep 2026 | 3:07 PM

Neeraj Bali
Chandigarh, Sept 17 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday announced plans to expand accommodation for patients and their families travelling from the union Territory to Amritsar and Chandigarh for medical treatment, while also speaking on Ladakh's demands, digital payments and investment in Jammu and Kashmir.

see more..