Anbumani seeks 30% Deepavali bonus for public sector workers

Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) president Anbumani Ramadoss on Thursday (October 15, 2026) urged the Tamil Nadu government to immediately announce and disburse a 30% Deepavali bonus to workers in all State public sector undertakings, including temporary and outsourced employees.

In a statement, he said the government was yet to announce the bonus despite Deepavali falling on November 8. He said the maximum bonus had remained at 20% since 2004, with workers receiving between ₹7,000 and ₹16,800 based on a prescribed wage ceiling.

Arguing the amount was inadequate amid rising living costs, he urged the government to provide the same bonus rate to workers across all public sector undertakings, irrespective of their financial position or whether employees were permanent, temporary, or outsourced. 

Citing the Union government’s announcement of a bonus equivalent to 78 days’ wages for railway employees, he said Tamil Nadu should not delay its decision further.