Dear Friends,
I have gone through the responses up till now and would like to submit as under:
Question is on Performance Incentive. One can call it as Incentive Bonus or Production Bonus. It is an additional remuneration.
As per the decision of the Supreme Court delivered on 8.3.2000 in the case of M/s.Whirlpool India Ltd. Vs. ESIC in civil appeal No.1903 of 2000, additional remuneration to become wages has to be paid at intervals not exceeding two months as distinguished from being payable. Thus, there has to be actual payment and the payment of production incentive does not fall either under the 1st part or last part of the definition of the term wages as defined in Sec.2(22) of the Act, hence no contribution is payable on the incentive bonus, provided the periodicity of payment is more than 2 months.
The queriest said that this payment is not possible to make it quarterly. Somebody suggested him to pay it monthly but to so it on quarterly basis so that no ESIC attract.
Please bear in mind that, when such additional remuneration is paid at interval beyond two months, the SSO has to verify thoroughly as to whether there is any agreement / settlement between the employer and employees, either express or implied and report the facts with documentary evidence for taking decision by RO as to such payment attracts ESIC or not.
Some employers are showing certain additional payments payable once in a quarter and paying some amount every month as advance against such additional payment. They book the final amount i.e. total of three month advance payment as quarterly incentive as suggested here also by one of the learned members. This payment amounts to wages only under the Act and ESI attract on it unless there is an agreement / settlement to make this payment quarterly or so, on the basis of performance-quarterly or so.
One should not forget that such additional payment is based on monthly performance, generally.
Hope everyone understood what I mean to say.