opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 4263 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-21
Subject: Sirohi-Pindwara Rail Line
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: DEVJI MANSINGRAM PATEL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4263 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.03.2018

## SIROHI-PINDWARA RAIL LINE

†4263. SHRI DEVJI M. PATEL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether survey of Sirohi-Bagra-Pindwara rail line has been completed;
- (b) if so, the total cost of the said project along with the rate of earning thereof;
- (c)  whether 28 lakh people are likely to be benefited with the start of the said route as socially it is a very important rail line;
- (d) if so, the reasons for delay in constructing the said line;
- (e) whether the Government has fixed any time limit for completing the said project; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

- (a) to (c): Survey for construction of new Broad Gauge line from Sirohi via Marwar-Bagra to Pindwara (96.4 km) has been completed in 2016-17. As  per  survey  report,  the  cost  of  the  project  has  been  assessed  as ` 1526.71 crore with the negative rate of return of (-) 6.52%. Due to unremunerative  nature  of  the  project,  huge  throwforward  of  ongoing projects and limited availability of funds, the project could not be taken forward.

(d) to (f): Do not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4261 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-21
Subject: Performance of Remote Sensing Satellites
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: RADHESHYAM BISWAS

## (a)

## & (b)

At  present,  there  are  19  Remote  Sensing  satellites  (including Meteorological satellites) operational in orbit. These satellites are being utilised to their capacity to meet the requirements of resource monitoring, infrastructure planning, enabling weather forecasting,  disaster  management  support  including  host  of

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## DEPARTMENT OF SPACE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4261

TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2018

## PERFORMANCE OF REMOTE SENSING SATELLITES

4261.   SHRI RADHESHYAM BISWAS:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the performance of three, out of seven remote sensing satellites, has been below their maximum capacity;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the revenue generated from these seven satellites in operation has been below expectations;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
- (e) the  measures  taken  for  the  optimum  utilization  of  the  said satellites and realization of maximum revenue?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PG & PENSIONS AND IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE

(DR. JITENDRA SINGH):

societal applications. The services derived from these satellites are being used by various Ministries/Departments in agriculture,  water  resources,  forest  and  environment,  urban and rural development, ocean and meteorology.

## (c) & (d)

Indian Remote  Sensing satellites are meant  for meeting national  needs  for  public  good  services.  These  satellites  are not  meant  for  revenue  generation.  The  benefits  are  accrued through applications derived from these satellites.

(e) In order to accelerate the use of satellites and its services, the Department has taken following measures - (i) conduct of user interaction  meets  and  utilisation  programmes;  (ii)  capacity building  for  space  applications;  (iii)  creation  of  an  outreach facility.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4260 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-21
Subject: Land Acquisition for New Rail Lines
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RODMAL NAGAR, OM PRAKASH YADAV, SUMEDHANAND SARASWATI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4260 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.03.2018

## LAND ACQUISITION FOR NEW RAIL LINES

- † 4260.  SHRI NAGAR RODMAL: SHRI OM PRAKASH YADAV: SHRI SUMEDHANAND SARSWATI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) Whether  the  Government  has  issued  any  guidelines  regarding  not starting construction of any new rail line untill land is not provided for this purpose;
- (b) if so, the number of such cases reported from Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Rajasthan along with the details thereof; and
- (c) the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  for  addressing  the  said  type  of problems?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINSTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

- (a) to (c):  A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*****

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4260 BY SHRI NAGAR RODMAL, SHRI OM PRAKASH YADAV &  SHRI SUMEDHANAND SARSWATI TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 21.03.2018 REGARDING LAND ACQUISITION FOR NEW RAIL LINES

(a) to (c): Indian Railways have a number of projects where considerable investments have been made but returns are not forthcoming due to land acquisition problems. Therefore, it has been decided that the commencement of physical work for New Line projects shall be taken up only after completion of land acquisition. However, General Managers of Zonal Railways have been empowered to invite tenders if they are certain of the possibility of land acquisition in a reasonable time frame.  For this, a written assurance from the State Government will be required. General Managers  of  Zonal  Railways  have  also  been  empowered  to  review  the projects that have remained in limbo for long period for various reasons. The  Ministry  of  Railways  from  time  to  time,  has  requested  the  Chief Secretaries of State Government to take necessary steps on Railway land acquisition issues to expedite execution work of New Lines. Individual cases have not been reported so far by any Railway including those  having  jurisdiction  in  the  State  of  Madhya  Pradesh,  Bihar  and Rajasthan. Railway officers are in regular liaison with state Government official, to expedite the land acquisition. *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4258 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-21
Subject: Lack of Basic Facilities
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: SADASHIV KISAN LOKHANDE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4258 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.03.2018

## LACK OF BASIC FACILITIES

† 4258.  SHRI SADASHIV LOKHANDE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the railway stations coming under various metropolitan cities of the country including Mumbai are very dirty and there is a huge lack of basic facilities;
- (b) if so, the reaction of the Railways thereto; and
- (c) the steps taken or proposed to be taken by the Government to provide  basic  facilities  at  the  railway  stations  coming  under metropolitan cities of the country and to keep them clean?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

- (a) No, Madam. Railway Stations are cleaned on daily basis to keep them tidy. All minimum essential amenities have been provided at all  Railway  Stations  on  Indian  Railways,  including  Mumbai,  as  per norms.
- (b) Does not arise.

(c) The  steps  taken  to  improve  cleanliness  include  Mechanized cleaning contracts, augmentation of pay & use toilets, use of CCTV cameras,  Strict  implementation  of  anti-littering  law,  award  of  rag picking/  garbage  disposal  contracts,  etc.,  besides  utilization  of departmental staff. Cleanliness awareness campaigns are launched to educate rail users to ensure a satisfactory level of cleanliness at railway stations.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4257 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-21
Subject: Cow Dung in Bio-Plants
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RAKESH SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4257 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.03.2018

## COW DUNG IN BIO-PLANTS

† 4257.  SHRI RAKESH SINGH:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Railway  Board  has  given  emphasis  on  utilising  cow dung to install bio-plants in the toilets of the trains;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  the  case  of  purchasing  bacteria  in  place  of  cow  dung  by West  Central  Railway,  Jabalpur  for  the  bio-plants  of  the  trains  has come to light;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether the Railways is also considering to make  all the headquarters  aware  of  the  technology  to  remove  bacteria  from  cow dung and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

- (a) The cow dung is used only during multiplication of bacteria in the bacteria generation facility. Anaerobic Bacteria generated under controlled condition is used in bio- toilets of the coaches.
- (b) Does not arise.
- (c) and (d) Bacteria is being purchased for initial charging of Bio-toilets, but not in place of cow dung. West Central Railway is getting bacteria from Defence Research and Development Establishment, Gwalior and from  Moti  Bagh  Workshop  of  South  East  Central  Railway,  Nagpur  for use in bio-toilets fitted in coaches.
- (e) No, Madam.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4256 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-21
Subject: New Rail Line Projects
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Pratyusha Rajeshwari Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4256 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.03.2018

## NEW RAIL LINE PROJECTS

## 4256. SHRIMATI PRATYUSHA RAJESHWARI SINGH:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Railways  has  signed  an  MoU  with  the  State Government of Odisha for Jeypore-Malkangiri and JeyporeNabarangpur, new rail line projects; and
- (b) if so, the details  thereof and the reasons for not deciding the executing agencies for both the projects so far?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

- (a)  &  (b):    Yes,  Madam.    Two  MoUs  were  signed  with  the  State Government of Odisha for cost-sharing of  25% of project cost of Jeypore-Malkangiri (130 Km) new line and 50% of cost-sharing and providing  land  free  of  cost  for  Jeypore-Navarangpur  (38  Km)  New line  on  10.10.2016.      Execution  of  both  the  projects  has  been entrusted  to  Construction  Organisation  of  East  Coast  Railway, Bhubaneswar.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4255 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-21
Subject: NSM
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: HARISHCHANDRA DEORAM CHAVAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

## DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4255 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21/3/2018

## NSM

## †4255. SHRI HARISHCHANDRA CHAVAN:

Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ÉÊ´ÉYÉÉxÉ +ÉÉè® |ÉÉètÉÉäÉÊMÉBÉEÉÒ àÉÆjÉÉÒ be pleased to state:

- (a) the  State-wise  details  of  the  National  Supercomputing  Centres  proposed  to  be  set  up  by  the Government under the National Supercomputing Mission (NSM);
- (b) the State-wise number of such centres set-up so far; and
- (c) the amount allocated by the Government for the purpose so far and the amount utilised out of the same?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, MINISTER OF EARTH SCIENCES AND MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (DR. HARSH VARDHAN)

ÉÊ´ÉYÉÉxÉ +ÉÉè® |ÉÉètÉÉäÉÊMÉBÉEÉÒ àÉÆjÉÉÒ, {Éßl´ÉÉÒ ÉÊ´ÉYÉÉxÉ àÉÆjÉÉÒ +ÉÉè® {ÉªÉÉÇ´É®hÉ, ´ÉxÉ A´ÉÆ VÉãÉ´ÉÉªÉÖ {ÉÉÊ®´ÉiÉÇxÉ àÉÆjÉÉÒ

(bÉ. c-ÉÇ ´ÉvÉÇxÉ)

- (a) The  State-wise  details  of  National  Supercomputing  Centres  approved  the  first  phase,  under National Supercomputing Mission (NSM) are as follows:
1. Indian Institute of Technology, Varanasi (650 TF) -Uttar Pradesh
2. Indian Institute for Science Education and Research, Pune (650 TF)
- -Maharashtra
3. Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur (1.3 PF) -West Bengal
- 4.
- Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (1.3 PF) -Uttar

Pradesh

5. Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (650 TF) -Telangana
6. JN Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bengaluru (650 TF) -Karnataka
3. (b) None so far.
4. (c) Out  of  total  funds  of  Rs  334.27  crore  released  for  the  Mission  to  Indian  Institute  of  Science (IISc),  Bengaluru  and  Centre  for  Development  of  Advanced  Computing  (C-DAC),  Pune,  the  two implementing  agencies,  by  Department  of  Science  and  Technology  (DST)  and  M/o  Electronics  and Information Technology (MeitY), a total of Rs 59.43 crore have been utilised so far.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 4253 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-21
Subject: Discontinuation of Train from Kerala
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RAMACHANDRAN MULLAPPALLY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4253 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.03.2018

## DISCONTINUATION OF TRAIN FROM KERALA

4253. SHRI MULLAPPALLY RAMACHANDRAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Railways  has  taken  a  decision  to  discontinue  the service of any passenger trains running in Kerala;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Railways will reconsider its decision; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

- (a) No, Madam.  At present, there is no such proposal.
- (b) to (d) Do not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4252 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-21
Subject: Dedicated Freight Corridors
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: SANTOSH AHLAWAT, A.T. (NANA) PATIL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4252 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.03.2018

## DEDICATED FREIGHT CORRRIDORS

†4252.   SHRIMATI  SANTOSH AHLAWAT:

SHRI A.T. NANA PATIL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  status  of  progress  made  in  the  implementation  of  dedicated freight corridor scheme and the time by which construction work on the same is likely to be completed and it would become ready for use;
- (b) the name of States likely to be benefited by  the dedicated freight corridors and  the work being  undertaken under the said scheme; and
- (c)  the  targeted  improvement  likely    to  be  made    in  the  present situation  of  freight transportation and the extent to which the same is likely to have  an impact on exports  after the completion of the said scheme?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

- (a) and (b): Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) is targeted for commissioning in phases by the year 2020. Eastern DFC connects the mineral and industrial belts of Eastern India with North India. Western DFC  connects  the  ports  on  the  western  coast  to  the  hinterland  in Northern and North-Western India. The main objective underlying DFCs,

is creation of an efficient, dedicated rail corridor for freight movement and  thereby  reduce  the  cost  and  improve  the  ease  of  logistics.  DFC directly  benefits  the  States  coming  on  its alignment, namely Punjab, Haryana,  Uttar  Pradesh,  Bihar,  Jharkhand,  West  Bengal,  Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra and other neighbouring States by facilitating creation of industrial corridors/clusters based on DFC.

(c):  Improvement  in  the  freight  transportations  are  envisaged  with commissioning of DFC are :

- (i) Improved connectivity to ports and industrial clusters.
- (ii)
- Adequate carrying capacity for freight trains.
- (iii)
- Increase in average speed of freight trains.
- (iv) Possibility of running scheduled freight trains with guaranteed transit time.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 4251 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-21
Subject: Foreign Law Firms
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: HARI NARAYAN RAJBHAR

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW & JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF LEGAL AFFAIRS *****

- LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4251 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.03.2018

Foreign Law Firms

+4251 :  SHRI HARINARAYAN RAJBHAR

Will the Minister of LAW AND JUSTICE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to allow foreign law firms in the country on the basis of reciprocity (b) if so, the details in this regard for the last three years ; (c) whether the Bar Council of India is against this move; if so the reasons therefor; and (d)
- the manner in which a foreign law firm will qualify to be listed as an advocate under Advocates Act,  1961in case the foreign law firms are permitted to operate in India.

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR LAW AND JUSTICE AND CORPORATE AFFAIRS

## (SHRI P.P. CHAUDHARY)

(a) to (b) The  matter regarding entry of foreign law firms in the country on the basis of reciprocity is under consideration of Government. The Law Commission report and the Supreme Court Judgment dated 13.03.2018 on  the  issue under consideration of Government of India.

(c) to (d)             The information is being collected from Bar Council of India and will be laid on  the Table of House

## **********
Lok Sabha Question No. 4250 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-21
Subject: Free Coaching for Civil Services Examinations
Ministry: MINORITY AFFAIRS
Asked by: VASANTHI M.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION Q. NO. 4250 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.03.2018

## FREE COACHING FOR CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATIONS

## 4250. SHRIMATI VASANTHI M.:

Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  tied  up  with  educational  institutions  to  provide  free coaching to minority students taking civil services examinations; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS (SHRI MUKHTAR ABBAS NAQVI)

- (a)   Yes, Madam. Ministry of Minority Affairs has been implementing a scheme namely ' Free Coaching and Allied Scheme for the candidates/students belonging to minority communities'    under  which  free  coaching  is  provided  to  students  belonging  to  six notified minority communities through selected coaching institutions/organisations for preparation  of  qualifying  examinations  for  admission  in  technical/  professional courses  and  competitive  examinations  for  recruitment  to  Group  'A'  ,  'B'  and  'C' services and other equivalent posts under the Central and State governments including public  sector  undertakings,  banks,  insurance  companies  etc.    A  new  residential coaching programme  for  composite  preparation exclusively for Civil Services aspirants has been added in the scheme w.e.f. 07.12.2017.

In addition to the above, this Ministry is also implementing a scheme namely  ' Nai Udaan' under which financial support is provided to the candidates of notified minority community who have cleared preliminary examinations  conducted by Union Public Service Commission,  State  Public  Service  Commissions  and  Staff  Selection  Commission    for preparation of main  examinations.

- (b) The  Scheme  has  been  revised w.e.f. 7.12.2017 and process for fresh empanelment of coaching institutions/organizations for the remaining period of 14 th Finance  commission  i.e.  2017-18  to  2019-20  has  already  been  initiated  by  the Ministry.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 4247 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-21
Subject: Weather Information to Farmers
Ministry: EARTH SCIENCES
Asked by: AJAY (TENI) MISRA, BHARAT SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 4247 TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2018

## WEATHER INFORMATION TO FARMERS

4247.  SHRI AJAY MISRA TENI:
2. SHRI BHARAT SINGH:

Will the Minister of EARTH SCIENCES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  provide  weather  forecast information to the farmers across  the country and  the latest information relating to environment in all the cities;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the  time  by  which  the  weather  related  information  service  is targeted to be provided at block level by the Government?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER FOR MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES (DR. HARSH VARDHAN)

- (a)-(b) The  Gramin  Krishi  Mausam  Seva  (GKMS)  of  India  Meteorological Department  (IMD)  is  rendered  twice  a  week  in  collaboration  with State  Agricultural  Universities  (SAUs)  and  Institutions  of  Indian Council  of  Agricultural  Research  (ICAR).    Under  this,  district  level weather forecasts for next 5- days in respect of
- 
- Rainfall
-  maximum temperature, minimum temperature
- 
- 
- 
- 
- wind speed, wind direction
- relative humidity and clouds
- weekly cumulative rainfall forecast
- crop specific advisories

are  provided  to  farmers.  The  GKMS  of  IMD  has  been  successful  in providing the crop specific advisories to the farmers through different print/visual/Radio/ IT based media including short message service (SMS) and Interactive Voice Response Service (IVRS) facilitating for appropriate field level actions. At present, about 22.7 million farmers out of 95 million estimated farming households in the country are receiving the SMS based advisories.

- (c) Efforts  for  Pilot  mode  initiative  for  sub-district  scale  (block  level) forecasts generation and evaluation are underway.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4246 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-21
Subject: Health Index
Ministry: PLANNING
Asked by: RAKSHA NIKHIL KHADSE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PLANNING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4246 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.03.2018

## HEALTH INDEX

## 4246. SHRIMATI RAKSHATAI KHADSE:

Will the Minister of  PLANNING be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has developed a health index to rank, track the performance and strengthen health sector institutions of States (district hospitals, etc.) towards transforming action in these areas; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS

## (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

- (a)  Yes Madam, Government has developed a health index to rank, track the performance and strengthen the District Hospitals and developed a 'Framework for Tracking the performance of District Hospitals'.
- (b)  The  index  measures  the  performance  of  District  Hospitals  for  16  identified  indicators  in  3 domains- Structure, Process & Outputs/ Outcomes. The details of this index are available at NITI website at the following link: http://www.niti.gov.in/content/tracking-performance-districthospitals-health-our-hospitals#

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