Friday, December 30, 2016

30th DECEMBER IS A “BLACK DAY” FOR CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES AND PENSIONERS

ON 30th DECEMBER 2016, SIX MONTHS WILL BE COMPLETED AFTER THE “GREAT” ASSURANCE GIVEN BY THREE HONB’LE CABINET MINISTERS OF NDA GOVERNMENT TO NJCA LEADERS.

30th JUNE 2016 WILL BE REMEMBERED AS “BETRAYAL DAY” BY 33 LAKHS CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES AND 34 LAAKHS PENSIONERS.

30th DECEMBER IS A “BLACK DAY” FOR CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES AND PENSIONERS.

CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES AND PENSIONERS ARE NEVER CHEATED LIKE THIS BY ANY PREVIOUS GOVERNMENTS AFTER INDEPENDENCE.

Wednesday, December 28, 2016

Amendment of All India Service (Death Cum Retirement Benefits Rules, 1958 in terms of the provisions in CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972.


Commemorative Postage Stamp released on “Samrat Vikramadittya" on 22.12.2016


Commemorative Postage Stamp released on "Akshardham Temple, New Delhi and Pramukh Swami Maharaj" on 07.12.16


Commemorative Postage Stamp released on "Acharya Vimal Sagar" on 14.12.2016


Commemorative Postage Stamp released on "Exotic Birds" on 05.12.2016








Commemorative Postage Stamp released on “All India Institute of Medical Sciences" on 03.12.2016

Postal Dept gives wings to priority mail



Tribune News Service
Amritsar, December 25


In a historic development, the Punjab circle of the Postal Department connected the priority mail and parcel service, including Speed Post and Express Parcel, with flights taking off from Guru Ramdassjee International Airport in the holy city.


Parcels in local post offices and meant for delivery in metros and other cities across the country, including Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai, will now be sent through flights to their destinations.


PM Swain, Chief Postmaster General, Punjab and Chandigarh, launched the air linkage of priority mail to all destinations at the head post office today.


The facility will provide faster and reliable delivery of Speed Post and Express Parcel, booked from Amritsar and other important cities in Punjab circle.


Speaking on the occasion, Swain said priority articles booked till previous evening in Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Gurdaspur, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Phagwara, Batala, SBS Nagar and Hoshiarpur, which were shipped during night through Departmental Mail Motor Service to Amritsar hub, were handed over to airlines in the morning for delivery at far off destinations.


He said it would give impetus to business, trade, commerce and industrial activities in cities, including Amritsar, Jalandhar, Kapurthala and Hoshiarpur, besides helping in economic growth of the region. Garments, sports and other goods, which are manufactured in Punjab, will reach more customers with the launch of priority Speed Post and Express Parcel to cities like Chennai, Bangalore and Mumbai.


Swain flagged off the first air consignment from Amritsar Head Post Office today.


He said parcels would be sent through different airlines depending on their efficient connectivity.


He further added that first historic air linkage of Speed Post letters and parcels, booked in Ludhiana, Chandigarh, Jalandhar, Patiala and Amritsar for Kolkata and other major destinations in North East India, including Guwahati, Agartala and Silchar, was established from Chandigarh International Airport, Mohali, last week.

Law Ministry rejects Finance move to link small savings to Aadhaar

Ahead of launching the demonetisation drive, the Finance Ministry had sought Law Ministry’s opinion whether Aadhaar submission could be made compulsory for small savings scheme.


The Law Ministry has turned down Finance Ministry’s proposal that a person investing in small savings schemes — these attract gross deposits of over Rs 2 lakh crore each year — be made to link the accounts to his or her Aadhaar number.


Ahead of launching the demonetisation drive, the Finance Ministry had sought Law Ministry’s opinion whether Aadhaar submission could be made compulsory for small savings schemes like Kisan Vikas Patra, Public Provident Fund, National Savings Certificate, Senior Citizen Saving Scheme and Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana.


The rationale put forth by Finance Ministry’s Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) was that individuals evade scrutiny by parking cash below Rs 50,000 into multiple small savings accounts because such deposits (below Rs 50,000) do not seek permanent account number (PAN) details.


The Law Ministry turned down DEA’s proposal on October 4 saying such schemes cannot be notified as “service within the meaning of Section 7 of the Aadhaar Act” since small savings are serviced under the Public Account Fund of India and not the Consolidated Fund to which the Aadhaar Act applies.


Section 7 of the Act states that the government can ask an individual to furnish his Aadhaar number to establish his identity “as a condition for receipt of a subsidy, benefit or service for which the expenditure is incurred from, or the receipt therefrom forms part of, the Consolidated Fund of India”.
Not satisfied with the legal opinion, the DEA once again approached Law Ministry to reconsider the October 4 advice, saying that the fresh reasoning for bringing small savings under the Aadhaar ambit was that the “expenditure incurred to campaign for small savings scheme was derived from the Consolidated Fund”.


On December 14, Law Ministry reiterated its earlier opinion and directed that all transactions relating to these schemes should be accounted from the Public Account Fund as per the National Small Savings Fund (Custody & Investment) Rules.


Quoting a 2001 order of a Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court, the Law Ministry said “when a statute vests certain power in an authority to be exercised in a particular manner, the said authority has to exercise it only in the manner provided in the statute itself”.


In fiscal 2014-15, deposits in small savings schemes were Rs 289,080 crore while withdrawals were Rs 248,667 crore.


Source: Indian express

Monday, December 26, 2016

Demonetisation: Narendra Modi govt makes cashless salary mandatory, amends 80-year-old law

In a further push to cashless economy, the Central cabinet has approved the ordinance for paying wages via electronic means - which means that the government has given its nod for cashless salary. Accordingly, the government approved to amend Section 6 of the Payment Of Wages Act. The new ordinance will be applicable to public sector, with the private sector coming under the purview of the new move later, CNN News 18 reported.


"The Union Cabinet today approved the ordinance route to amend the Payment of Wages Act, 1936, to allow employers of certain industries to make payment through the electronic mode and cheques," a source said. Employers will also have the option to pay wages in cash, the source added.


As per practice, the government introduces ordinance to amend laws for immediate implementation of new rules. An ordinance is valid for six months only. The government is required to get it passed in Parliament within that period.







According to CNN-News18, companies can pay their employees only through cheque or through electronic means. All wage workers, who earn less than Rs 18,000 will be come under the new ordinance. However, the specific sectors where the rule will be applicable will be notified later.


The state government will additionally have the discretion whether to pay employees via cheques or electronic transfer. According to reports, the government aims to check under-reporting of salaries, bring transparency in transactions and end exploitation of wage workers.


However, the Opposition lashed out at the government for the ordinance. "Nothing can distract people from the fact that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government have failed. Government should trust people and they cannot move without proper infrastructure", the Congress party said.


"It will create a problem for the employees as withdrawal from the banks is difficult. Cashless society is not possible. We will move amendment in the Parliament," Gurudas Dasgupta, CPM leader told CNN-News 18.


Wages, as opposed to salaries, have traditionally tended to be cash payments. The Payment of Wages Act covers employees whose wage does not exceed Rs 18,000 per month. The new procedure will serve the objective of "digital and less-cash economy", the Bill stated. Introduced by Bandaru Dattatreya in the Winter Session of Parliament, the passage of the Bill was disrupted as the government and opposition clashed over demonetisation.


It will also allow state governments to specify industrial or other establishments that adopt cashless modes for salary payments. The new procedure will serve the objective of "digital and less cash economy", the bill states. Andhra Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Kerala and Haryana have already made provisions for payment of wages through cheque and electronic transfers after making state-level amendments to the Act.


The original Act had come into force on 23 April 1936, providing for payment of wages in coin or currency notes, or in both. At present, with the written authorisation of an employee, wages can be given through cheque or transferred to his or her bank account.


With inputs from agencies


Source :http://m.firstpost.com/

Pay PLI Premium through Debit / Credit Card without Service Charges & its activation procedure

Please apply for online payment registration with aadhar, email and mobile number update in PLI records Today's Good News You can pay premium through Debit card ( ATM) / Credit card without any extra charge



How To Update Phone Number, Email Id For PLI Customers For Allowing Online Access
To incorporate the mobile number and email address in the System the following procedures are to be followed by CPC.


1. The policy holder is to submit an application to the CPC Head on person or through mail stating his/her policy number, Mobile number and email address ( Email address should be written on capital letters so that no mistake will occur by the CPC personnel while data entry is to be done) requesting incorporation of the same in the System. He/She is to enclose self attested photo copies of policy bond or first page of the P.R.Book and identity proof (photo copy Aadhar or Voter Card).
2. He will submit these to the CPC and take receipt for submission of application, generated from the System.
3. The CPC personnel will then follow the procedure as same as change of address done. i.e scan the documents, do ECMS and Data Entry and then Quality Check &.Finally Approval.
4. After approval.


The CPC personnel will send him/her the reply to his/her Email address.to the effect that ' Your mobile number and email address has successfully been incorporated in the System. You may now feel free to register your policy online, set your password as per your choice and perform all sorts business relating to PLI/RPLI, as and when, required without visiting any Post Office or CPC.⁠⁠⁠⁠

Cadre Restructuring for left out Categories




Some more intereting points about India Post Payments Bank (IPPB)



1. As DOP is doing agency functions to MOF in PODB Schemes only, Whereas IPPB is completely owned by Ministry of Communications the Administrative Pricing Mechanism will go.i.e interest rates will be decided by itself.

2. The Schemes operated will be only the two i.e. CA/SA only with maximum limit of one lakh only.

3. The reason for keeping minimum balance is to avoid high networth customers and to provide all services hitherto not available to un/under banked low income customers.

4. After recruitment of high level functional officers a management board will be constituted under the designated chairman cum managing director who is going to be appointed from banking industry.The members of the board will include secretaries of Ministry of Communications, Ministry of Expenditure and the Ministry of Food and civil supplies all the three who are part of IPPB and whose programs will be implemented through IPPB

5. Choosing an operative partner is going to be done by the board, As you all aware already more than 50 institutions are given their consent to be part of IPPB.

6. The collected funds after RBI stipulation s of CRR and Capital Adequacy Ratio the first 75% will be deposited in Govt Securities and the remaining 25% will be parted with the stregetic partner chosen for banking commercial activities.

7. The account opening mode will be hussle-free and on E-KYC method, By just pressing your any finger on the machine and by feeding of just your AADHAAR number. No physical presence or documentation.

8. All DBS schemes of govt of India and its various ministries social benefit scheme last mile delivery will be ensured only through IPPB only.

9. The other banking activities of ECS,Loan disbursement, and collection of its EMI,and utility payments,and the money transfer amongst the banks and clearing of cheques and instruments will be carried out by IPPB.

10. All POSB activities will be continued till the natural closing of the schemes takes place separately on Finacle platform or till the integration of the leftover SOLs that's sub- offices. For the present they will carryout IPPB operations too along with POSB module.

11. The local money lending through institutions will be boosted by IPPB, The roadside vendors and whose mercantile activities were not till now have the facilities of bank financing will be connected through IPPB to the partner bank or any other bank if so desired.

12. Daily collection of deposits by postman of that area and operation of postman as teller for their banking activities will make sure the inclusive banking for all and at the doorstep can be achieved in the current scenario of cash less economy this very big enterence of IPPB is going to make a big difference.

13. Lastly,the financial stability of IPPB will be ensured by the very big institutional backing of the the INDIA POST and its already trained manpower, with the help of agile postman whose activities are going to be manifold. As of now all the banks profitability is nowadays hinges on fee based income.

Now. 16% of their income is on the services provided. Hence the ATM services and fee based income of IPPB is conservatively estimated at rupees 500 crores at the end of 5th year of operations. That against an equity capital of rupees 400 crores Which makes an EPS of 1.25 rupees against 1 rupee share value.Which will ensure it to offer its shares in public to raise its further capital without knocking the doors of the mentor i.e govt.

14. Kindle do keep in mind IPPB is registered Public Limited Company wholly owned by Ministry Of Communications.

GDS COMMITTEE REPORT

IMPORTANT NEWS

GDS COMMITTEE REPORT

          SG NFPE met Secretary, Dept of Posts after two days All India Protest demonstrations by NFPE. Secretary has assured that GDS Committee report will be published immediately after 31st December and approval of Minister will be obtained before 31st Dec. 

          In view of the above assurance, Federal Secretariat of NFPE decided to wait upto 31st.

          Next phase of programmes will be declared if report is not publihed as assured by Secretary.

          This is already informed to all General Secretaries and Circle Secretaries.

     R.N. PARASHAR
SECRETARY GENERAL

15th FEBRUARY 2017 – ONE DAY STRIKE

Towards the inevitable end - Victory.


K.K.N. Kutty
President, Confederation of Central Govt. Employees and workers.


December-January is fog days in Northern India, especially Delhi. Because of the high level pollution, it is not fog that engulfs Delhi but smog. Temperature dips and rises quite often. Air and Rail traffics are frequently disturbed and sometimes go out of gear. It was not unknown to the National Sectt.of the Confederation when they decided to organize the rally at the Parliament street on 15th December, 2016. There was no alternative as on November, 6th, the stipulated four months period was over. The National Sectt. of the Confederation came to the conclusion that the Government of India is run by people who indulges in double speak. They have no shame even in indulging in betrayal.







Confederation has a noble history and fine tradition. It does not indulge in the nasty habit of mincing words. It exhibits the courage of calling a spade a spade. It always has stood for the interest of the employees and workers, whom it represents. It was built up over the years in the high values and traditions of a fine trade union. While it believes that despite the differences in ideology, perception, and approach to the issues and problems, methods of negotiation, unity of the employees and workers are paramount in winning demands. It was to uphold that tradition, on innumerable occasions, it agreed to defer the strike action, and ultimately even on 11th July, 2016. It had perceived correctly the weak pretensions of the Government, demonstrated before the leaders of the NJCA both on 30th june, 2016 and 6th July, 2016. Therefore, its leadership could appreciate the criticism that emanated from the right thinking persons in its stride. Many of those who chose to criticize the decision were concerned of the dent the decision to defer the strike action had created to the image of the Confederation. An explanatory campaign was the need of the hour. For sheer paucity of time, it could not be undertaken. It would have allayed the apprehensions. When it was done, though a little belatedly, it had its salutary impact. And naturally, the National Sectt. could not have indulged in the luxury of revisiting the issue with independent action programme when the climate in Delhi could become tolerable. As is the case with every vibrant organization, there are persons who take advantage of the situation, criticize and create cacophony with the intent of destroying the very organization itself. The mammoth rally at Delhi in front of the Parliament house on 15th December, 2016 was the vindication of the understanding the Confederation National Sectt. had on the issues and a magnificent reply to all those whose intent was to destroy the organization.


It is quite heartening that our Comrades, who felt betrayed by the chicanery of the Present Government, weathered the inclement weather conditions, the disruption of rail and air traffic movements, the difficulties in reaching the venue by road, the chilly atmosphere at Delhi and above all the persisting engineered criticism of certain vested interest, exhibited the anger and discontent in the most exemplary manner on 15th December, 2016. They deserve our felicitation, congratulation and grateful salute in creating yet another historic and successful programme. They have through their loud and emphatic slogans raised and followed by thousands provided the required impetus to the National Sect. and confidence to go ahead with the forward steps of the battle. The decision that was announced by the Secretary General to organize a one day token strike in protest against the attitude of the BJP Government was greeted therefore, with great enthusiasm by the rallyists


The demonetization and the consequent debilitating impact over the availability of currency has indeed made insurmountable impediments. The whole country has been taken for a ride in the name of the noble cause of cleaning the economy of the black income. Neither the generation of the black income s tapped nor its proliferation has been targeted. About one fifth of the National income of the country is stated to be in black. That hurts and hurts the common people. While the successive Governments that came to power in the country since 1991, including the present in office had been extending concessions and exemptions for the corporate giants in crores, the common people were finding it difficult to make the both ends meet. The enforcement laws fear to knock at the doors of those who have looted the Nation and refused to pay back even the loan they had contracted from the Nationalized Banks . The circus in the floor of the Parliament, session after session, precludes any serious discussion or deliberation over the good or bad of the executive decisions concerning governance. All appears to be with a design to obliterate the real issues of the people from the centre stage.


The 105,000- crores, which is a highly exaggerated financial outflow worked out by the 7th CPC for this fiscal year has been substantially reduced, thanks to the deferring the grant of enhanced allowances, disapproval of the Option No.1 granted by the commission to the Pensioners as a relief, the continuous derailing of the negotiating machinery and the sheer refusal even to abide by the decisions of the Judiciary and Arbitration Boards, deferring decision on extending the benefit of revision of wages and pension to the employees of the autonomous organizations etc. To sustain the untenable actions, threats are employed invoking the provisions of the colonial rules and regulations. A good number of participants in the magnificent rally at the Parliament street on 15th December, 2016 was the retired personnel, despite their physical debilities due to the advancing age. They look forward to the NCCPA and the Confederation to articulate, present and fight for their demands and ensure that justice is rendered to them.


There is no doubt that the ongoing struggle undertaken by the Confederation will create sanctions not only on the Government but also on those who witness it from the sidelines but refuse to become part and parcel of an event that is bound to have its imprint in the history of the movement of the Central Government employees in the country. That should not deter us but steel our determination to march to its glorious end of victory.

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

First India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) branch in January 2017




Ranchi: India Post, Jharkhand, will become the first in the country to open a bank branch India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) in January.

The basic preparations in terms of infrastructure, manpower and training have been completed.

The move to came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that all post offices should be converted to banks by January next year. The IPPB was incorporated as a public limited company, under the department of posts, Government of India, in August 2015 with 100% government equity.

Talking to TOI, post master general, Jharkhand circle, Anil Kumar said that the first bank branch will begin operations at GPO, Doranda, for which a separate building has been constructed. "Once the GPO branch becomes functional, all other post offices in the state will also start functioning," Kumar said.

There are more than 2,800 India Post offices across the state and the number is likely to be increased to 3,400. "In addition, we have over 100 panchayat seva kendras (PSK) and over 4,000 postmen who can work as business correspondents," Kumar said.

The postmen are being provided with PoS machines. Officials will not only receive money for deposits and disburse payments but will also open new accounts, sell insurance instruments and register money orders. At present, the postal department has issued kits to over 2,700 post offices, which includes a biometric device, printer and a tab for digital transactions.

Kumar said that more than 500 people have already been trained on financial inclusion tools, the usage of PoS machines and briefed on the functioning of post offices as business correspondents. "We have hired experts from Infosys and Rico for training our staff and the training is going on in Ranchi and Jamshedpur," Kumar said.

India Post has also issued debit cards to saving account holders in post offices and once the banking facility begins, more debit cards will be issued. "It will work as full-fledged banks in the wake of the existing robust infrastructures in the remote corners of the state," Kumar said.

Out of 456 post offices, 358 have already been brought on the CBS platform and this is all set to boost the banking structure of Jharkhand post offices once the headquarter branch becomes operational.

Restriction on Deposit of WOS Notes into Post Office SB Account - Directorate Order



Subject: Restriction on Deposit of WOS Notes into SB Account 

        Kindly refer to the SB Order No. 12/2016 dated 08.11.2016 (Para No. 02 (iii) ) regarding deposits of WOS Notes. There is a partial modification in the acceptance of deposits of WOS notes. RBI vide their notification number RBI/2016-17/189 DCM (Plg) No. 1859/10.27.00/2016-17 dated 19.12.2016 has decided to place certain restrictions on deposit of SBNs (Specified Bank Note/WOS Notes) into the accounts by allowing deposits in excess of Rs. 5000/- will be received for credit only once during the period till December 30th, 2016. Copy of the RBI notification is attached herewith. 

It is requested to kindly issue necessary instructions to all concerned in this regard.

With regards,

Sachin Kishore
Director (CBS)
Sansad Marg,
Dak Bhavan

DRAFT OF THE STRIKE NOTICE BEING SERVED BY CONFEDERATION CHQ TO GOVT OF INDIA




No. Confdn/Strike/2016-19 Dated - 28th December 2016


To

The Cabinet Secretary
Cabinet Secretariat
Government of India
Rashtrapati Bhawan
New Delhi – 110001


Sir,

This is to give notice that employees who are members of the affiliated organisations of the Confederation of Central Government Employees and Workers will go on one-day strike on 15th February 2017. The Charter of demands in pursuance of which the employees will embark upon the one-day strike action in enclosed.


Thanking you,


Yours faithfully,


(M. Krishnan)
Secretary General
Mob: 09447068125
Email: mkrishnan6854@gmail.com


Encl: - Charter of Demands


CHARTER OF DEMANDS


1. Settle the demands raised by NJCA regarding modifications of 7th CPC recommendations as submitted in the memorandum to Cabinet Secretary on 10th December 2015. (See Annexure-I). Honour the assurance given by the Group of Ministers to NJCA on 30th June 2016 and 6thJuly 2016, especially increase in minimum wage and fitment factor. Grant revised HRA at the existing percentage itself i.e. 30%, 20% and 10%. Accept the proposal of the staff side regarding Transport Allowance. Settle all anomalies arising out of implementation of 7th CPC recommendations, in a time bound manner.

2. Implement option-I recommended by 7th CPC and accepted by the Government regarding parity in pension of pre-2016 pensioners, without any further delay. Settle the pension related issues raised by NJCA against item 13 of its memorandum submitted to Cabinet Secretary on 10th December 2015. (See Annexure-I).

3. Scrap PFRDA Act and New Pension System (NPS) and grant pension and Family Pension to all Central Government employees recruited after 01.01.2004, under CCS (Pension) Rules 1972.

4. Treat Gramin Dak Sewaks of Postal department as Civil Servants, and extend all benefits like pay, pension, allowances etc. of departmental employees to GDS. Publish GDS Committee report immediately.

5. Regularise all casual, contract, part-time, contingent and Daily rated mazdoors and grant equal pay and other benefits. Revise the wages as per 7th CPC minimum pay.

6. No Downsizing, Privatisation, outsourcing and contractorisation of Government functions.

7. Withdraw the arbitrary decision of the Government to enhance the bench mark for performance appraisal for promotion and financial upgradations under MACP from “GOOD” to VERY GOOD” and also decision to withhold annual increments in the case of those employees who are not able to meet the bench march either for MACP or for regular promotion within the first 20 years of service. Grant MACP pay fixation benefits on promotional hierarchy and not on pay-matrix hierarchy. Personnel promoted on the basis of examination should be treated as fresh entrants to the cadre for grant of MACP.

8. Withdraw the draconian FR 56 (J) and Rule 48 of CCs (Pension) Rules 1972 which is being misused as a short cut as purity measure to punish and victimize the employees.

9. Fill up all vacant posts including promotional posts in a time bound manner. Lift ban on creation of posts. Undertake cadre Review to access the requirement of employees and their cadre prospects. Modify recruitment rules of Group-‘C’ cadre and make recruitment on Reginal basis.

10. Remove 5% ceiling on compassionate appointments and grant appointment in all deserving cases.

11. Grant five promotions in the service carreer to all Central Govt. employees.

12. Abolish and upgrade all Lower Division Clerks to Upper Division Clerks.

13. Ensure parity in pay for all stenographers, Assistants, Ministerial Staff in subordinate offices and in all organized Accounts cadres with Central Secretariat staff by upgrading their pay scales. Grant pay scale of Drivers in Loksabha Secretariat to Drivers working in all other Central Government Departments.

14. Reject the stipulation of 7th CPC to reduce the salary to 80% for the second year of Child Care leave and retain the existing provision.

15. Introduce Productivity Linked bonus in all department and continue the existing bi-lateral agreement on PLB wherever it exists.

16. Ensure cashless medical treatment to all Central Government employees & Pensioners in all recognized Government and Private hospitals.

17. Revision of Overtime Allowance (OTA) and Night Duty Allowance (NDA) w.e.f 01.01.2016 based on 7th CPC pay scale.

18. Revision of wages of Central Government employees in every five years.

19. Revive JCM functioning at all levels. Grant recognition to the unions/Associations under CCS (RSA) Rules 1993 within a time frame to facilitate effective JCM functioning.

20. Implementation of the Revised Pay structure in respect of employees and pensioners of autonomous bodies consequent on implementation of CCS (Revised Pay) Rules 2016 in respect of Central Government employees and pensioners w.e.f. 01.01.2016.

21. Implementation of the “equal pay for equal work” judgement of the Supreme Court in all departments of the Central Government.