opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3177 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-03
Subject: Cargo Transportation through Waterways
Ministry: SHIPPING
Asked by: A. ARUNMOZHITHEVAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SHIPPING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3177

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 3 rd AUGUST, 2017 CARGO TRANSPORTATION THROUGH WATERWAYS

## 3177. SHRI A. ARUNMOZHITHEVAN:

Will the Minister of SHIPPING be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to start integrated cargo transportation along various waterways in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to give more priority to waterways transportation in the country; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SHIPPING (SHRI PON. RADHAKRISHNAN)

- (a)&(b):Yes,  Madam.    Cargo  transportation  on  National  Waterway-1  (NW-1)  (River Ganga), NW-2 (River Brahmaputra), NW-3 (West Coast Canal in Kerala) and on  NWs  in  Maharashtra  and  Goa  is  already  taking  place.    The  terminals/ jetties  in  these  NWs  are  connected  with  road.    Presently,  the  Inland Waterways  Authority  of  India  terminal  at  Pandu  (Guwahati)  also  has  rail connectivity.

To  provide  integrated  cargo  transportation  on  NW-1  (River  Ganga), construction  of  three  multimodal  terminals  at  Varanasi  (Uttar  Pradesh), Sahibganj (Jharkhand) and Haldia (West Bengal) has commenced.

- (c)&(d):To promote Inland Water Transportation as a cost effective, fuel efficient and environment  friendly  mode  of  transport,  construction  work  for  multimodal terminals  and  navigational  lock  has  commenced  on  NW-1  (River  Ganga) under  Jal Marg  Vikas  Project  (JMVP)  with  the  technical  and  financial assistance  of  the  World  Bank.  In  addition,  NW-4  in  Andhra  Pradesh  and seven new NWs have been approved for development in a phased manner.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3176 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-03
Subject: Shortage of Critical Minerals
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: A.P. JITHENDER REDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3176

TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.08.2017

## SHORTAGE OF CRITICAL MINERALS

3176. SHRI A.P. JITHENDER REDDY:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether India is likely to face acute shortage of critical minerals necessary for developing clean-energy  application,  infrastructure  for  its  solar  mission  and  for  manufacturing  hightechnology products in the near future and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether the country is likely to become largely dependent on China in the coming years to source  such  materials  for  its  manufacturing  sector  and  at  present  is  100  per  cent  import dependent for critical minerals and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c)    the  steps/measures  taken  by  the  Government  to  reduce  such  dependence  and  to  develop mines and unleash the untapped potential of the vast mineral resources?

## ANSWER

THE  MINISTER  OF  STATE  (INDEPENDENT  CHARGE)  FOR  POWER,  COAL,  NEW  & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND MINES (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a)  to  (c): India  is  dependent  on  imports  for  many  critical  elements  like  rare  earths  elements, selenium, germanium, rhenium etc. required for clean-energy applications and high technology products. As far as solar energy is concerned, silica is required for the production of solar cells and there is no shortage of the same in the country at present.

Exploration for minerals is a continuous process and the quantity of resources is updated on a regular basis. Geological Survey of India (GSI), an attached office of the Ministry of Mines, is taking  up  measures  to  increase  the  mineral  exploration  activity  at  deeper  levels  to  discover different  mineral  deposits  through  its  Annual  Field  Season  Programmes.  Atomic  Minerals Directorate, Mineral Exploration Corporation Limited, State Directorates of Geology & Mining, State/Central  Undertakings and Private Enterprises are  also  engaged in detailed exploration to identify mineral deposits.

In pursuance of the MMDR Amendment Act 2015, the Government has established the National Mineral Exploration Trust with the prime objective of promoting regional and detailed mineral exploration  in  the  country.  Further,  the  Government  has  formulated  the  National  Mineral Exploration  Policy,  2016  for  accelerating  mineral  exploration  in  the  country  through  diverse measures like open dissemination of baseline geosciences data, launching of National Aerogeophysical  Mapping  Programme,  attractive  revenue  sharing  model  for  inviting  private investment in mineral exploration etc. All these are aimed towards exploration and discovery of mineral deposits including critical minerals.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3175 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-03
Subject: Erosion by Mountain Streams
Ministry: WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANAGA REJUVENATION
Asked by: SATISH CHANDRA DUBEY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES,

## RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION LOK SABHA UN STARRED QUESTION NO. † 3175 ANSWERED ON 03 .0 8.201 7

## EROSION BY MOUNTAIN STREAMS

## †3 175. SHRI SATISH CHANDRA DUBEY

Will the Minister of WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  erosion  caused  by  mountain  streams  in  Valmikinagar  region  results  in  ex damage to farms and roads;

(b) if so, whether the Government i s taking any steps to contain the said erosion; and

(c) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE  MINISTER  OF  STATE  FOR  WATER  RESOURCES,  RIVER  DEVELOPMENT  AND GANGA REJUVENATION

## (DR. SANJEEV KUMAR BALYAN)

(a) River Gandak flows through Valmiki Nagar region which is located in the State of Bihar. scheme 'Protection work in upstream of Gandak Barrage on left bank of river Gandak in front of Inspection Bungalow and dormitory at Valmikinagar in a length of 1080 m in West Champ District  of  Bih ar  with  an  estimated  cost  of  Rs.  24.8149  crore  has  been  submitted  by Resources Department (WRD), Government of Bihar to Ganga Flood Control Commission (GFCC) for consideration.

(b)& (c) The subject of flood management being under the purview of the States, the schemes for flood control are formulated and implemented by concerned States as per their priority. Government supplements the efforts of the States by providing technical guidance and pro financial assistance for management of floods in critical areas.

Gandak High Level Standing Committee (GHLSC) under chairmanship of Chairman, GFCC visits the flood affected area every year after flood season during October/November to the necessary flood protection measures/ steps to be taken up by the Government of Uttar Pradesh (UP) in UP portion (including the works to be executed in Nepal) and by Government of B Bihar  portion  on  Western  Gandak  embankment  to  prevent  floods  and  soil  erosion  due  to Gandak.
Lok Sabha Question No. 3174 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-03
Subject: Proposal for National Commission for Youth
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: CHIRAG PASWAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3174 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.08.2017

## Proposal for National Commission for Youth

## †3174. SHRI CHIRAG PASWAN:

Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that there is no constitutional body to resolve various issues of youths in the country and if so, the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to set up a National Commission  for youth like National Commissions  for Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes in the country;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS (SHRI VIJAY GOEL)

- (a) Yes, Madam.
- (b)    No, Madam.
- (c) Does not arise.
- (d) The  Department  of  Youth  Affairs,  Ministry  of  Youth  Affairs  and Sports  has  been  taking  all  necessary  steps,  with  the  help  of  all  the stakeholders,  to  resolve  various  issues  relating  to  the  youth  of  the country, within the existing policy framework.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3171 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-03
Subject: Service Roads
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: VINOD CHAVDA, MOHANBHAI KALYANJIBHAI KUNDARIYA, SAVITRI THAKUR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3171

ANSWERED ON 3 RD AUGUST, 2017

## SERVICE ROADS

3171.  SHRI VINOD LAKHAMASHI CHAVDA: SHRI KUNDARIYA MOHAN BHAI KALYANJI BHAI: SHRIMATI SAVITRI THAKUR:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS be pleased to state: सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

- (a) whether the Government has any details about the removal of the service road on National Highways particularly in Gujarat;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; along with the law/rule for introducing the Highways without service roads in the country;
- (c) whether the toll fee is paid by the villagers who are staying near the toll roads; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof along with the highways without service roads in the country including Gujarat?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI PON. RADHAKRISHNAN)

- (a) No removal of service road on National Highways is done including Gujarat.
- (b) Does not arise. Service roads are constructed in accordance with Concession Agreement.

(c)&(d)   The user fee is being levied and collected at fee plazas for the use of a section of  National Highway as per NH fee Rules and provisions of the Concession / Contract Agreement. However, as per  National  Highways  Fee  (Determination  of  Rates  and  Collection)  Rules,  2008,  as  amended,  if service / alternative road is not available, a monthly pass shall be issued to a driver, owner or person in charge of a mechanical vehicle registered for non-commercial purposes who resides within a distance of  twenty  kilometers  from  the  fee  toll  plaza.  Further,  a  person,  who  owns  a  commercial  vehicle (excluding  vehicle  plying  under  National  Permit),  registered  with  address  on  the  Registration Certificate of a particular district shall be levied user fee at the rate of fifty percent of prescribed rates on all toll plazas which are located within that district. Service Roads are generally not provided near toll plazas to avoid evasion of toll.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3170 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-03
Subject: Free Parking Facility at Airports
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: JANAK RAM, SAVITRI THAKUR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIA TION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 3170 (To be answered on the August 2017) 3rd

## FREE PARKING FACILITY AT AIRPORTS

3170.

SHRI JANAK RAM

SHRIMATI SA VITRI THAKUR

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state: -

- (a) whether any scheme is under consideration of the Gevernment for providing free parking facility to the air passengers at the airports;

- (b) if s0, the details thereof; and

- (c) the time by which it is likely to be done?

ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(Shri Jayant Sinha)

(a) Madam. Nos

- (b) & (c) Do not arise:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3169 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-03
Subject: Tariff Authority for Major Ports
Ministry: SHIPPING
Asked by: PONGULETI SRINIVASA REDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SHIPPING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3169 TO BE ANSWERED ON 3 rd AUGUST, 2017 TARIFF AUTHORITY FOR MAJOR PORTS

## 3169. SHRI PONGULETI SRINIVASA REDDY:

Will the Minister of SHIPPING be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Tariff Authority for Major Ports (TAMP) is the statutory body for labour levy on port handling charges;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the TAMP proposes to reduce the labour levy on port handling charges for salt; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SHIPPING (SHRI PON. RADHAKRISHNAN)

- (a)&(b):Yes,    Madam.    The  Tariff  Authority  for  Major  Ports  (TAMP)  is  statutorily mandated to fix tariff for ship to shore transfer of cargo or vice versa which includes labour component for deployment of labour.
- (c)&(d):The  tariff including levy for salt towards labour deployment is approved by TAMP based on the proposal of the concerned Major Port Trust.  The rates approved by TAMP are ceiling rates and each Major Port has the flexibility of charging lower rates or offering discounts on the rates approved by TAMP. At present, there is no proposal from any Major Port Trust for reduction in the tariff pertaining to labour levy for salt.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3168 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-03
Subject: Dilapidated Condition of NHs in Bihar
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: KAUSHALENDRA KUMAR

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether all National Highways (NHs) passing through Bihar are in a dilapidated condition;
- (b) if so, the steps taken by the Union Government for repair of all dilapidated National Highways (NHs) passing through the State;
- (c) whether the Union Government has not made payment for the repair of national highways, carried out by the State Government of  Bihar;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the reasons for non-payment of outstanding amount by the Union Government?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI PON. RADHAKRISHNAN)

- (a) & (b)   Most of the National Highways passing through the State of Bihar are maintained in traffic worthy condition through maintenance funds or through existing concessionaires/contractors.
- (c) to (e)   No sir, this Ministry has been regularly releasing funds for the maintenance and repair of National Highways on approved works in the State of Bihar.

*****

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3168

ANSWERED ON 3 RD  AUGUST, 2017

## DILAPIDATED CONDITION OF NHs  IN BIHAR

## 3168.      SHRI KAUSHALENDRA KUMAR:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

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Lok Sabha Question No. 3166 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-03
Subject: Export of Textiles
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: RAJU ALIAS DEVAPPA ANNA SHETTI

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3166 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.08.2017

## EXPORT OF TEXTILES

## 3166.  SHRI RAJU SHETTY:

Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंरी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether textile export of the country has been consistently falling down;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the type of financial impact observed in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu; and
- (c) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard?

## उत्तर ANSWER वस्त्र मंरी ( श्री अज

## )

MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES (SHRI AJAY TAMTA)

- (a): No  Madam,  As  per  the  data  available,  the  export  of  textiles  and  garments  has shown a increase of 3.2% during the last three years.  The details are as under:-
- (b): Does not arise.
- (c): With  a  view  to  enhance  the  investment,  production  and  export  of    the  textile industry in the country, Government has launched the  Special Package for Apparel and Made-ups segments of Indian textile industry, which includes Enhanced Duty Drawback Coverage / Rebate of State Levies (ROSL) on Export of Garments/Made-ups, Additional incentives under Amended Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (ATUFS) / Scheme for Production and Employment Linked Support for Garmenting Units,  Employee Provident Fund Scheme Reform / Pradhan Mantri Paridhan Rojgar Protsahan Yojana (PMPRPY), Reforms in Labour Laws and Enhanced incentives under of Section 80JJAA of Income Tax Act.

| Year                 | 2014-15   | 2015-16   | 2016-17   | Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR)   |
|----------------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|--------------------------------------|
| Exports (In INR Cr.) | 2,47,546  | 2,59,712  | 2,63,494  | 3.2%                                 |

Source: Director General of Commerce Intelligence and Statistics

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3164 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-03
Subject: Healthcare Infrastructure at Major Ports
Ministry: SHIPPING
Asked by: BALKA SUMAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SHIPPING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3164

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 3 rd AUGUST, 2017 HEALTHCARE INFRASTRUCTURE AT MAJOR PORTS

## 3164. SHRI SUMAN BALKA:

Will the Minister of SHIPPING be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has constituted a committee to study the feasibility of upgradation of the existing healthcare infrastructure at Major Ports to world class healthcare services under Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode along with affordable medical and paramedical education;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the said committee has submitted its report;
- (d) if so, the details thereof along with the main recommendations made by the committee; and
- (e) the follow up action taken by the Government thereon?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SHIPPING (SHRI PON. RADHAKRISHNAN)

- (a)&(b):A  committee  on  Redevelopment  of  Port  Hospitals  had  been  constituted under the Chairmanship of Dr. Ved Prakash Mishra on 6.05.2016 to suggest the model for development and modernization of the Port hospitals on Public Private Partnership (PPP) basis and also to explore the possibility of setting up medical education colleges along with these hospitals
- (c)to(e):The Committee has submitted its report on 14.07.2017. The main recommendation of the Committee inter-alia includes development of healthcare facilities, augmenting the tertiary care and examining the possibility  of  establishing  the  medical  hospital  on  PPP  basis  at  the  Port hospitals.

The  report  has  been  forwarded  to  the  Ministry  of  Health  and  Family Welfare and all Major Ports for their comments.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3162 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-03
Subject: NHIDCL
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: KAMAL NATH, JYOTIRADITYA MADHAVRAO SCINDIA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3162

ANSWERED ON 03 rd  AUGUST, 2017

## NHIDCL

## 3162. SHRI  KAMAL  NATH:

SHRI  JYOTIRADITYA  M. SCINDIA:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## सड़क परिवहन एवं िाजमार्ग मंत्री

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Union Government is aware that highway developers' inability to arrange working capital has impacted several projects of the National Highways and  Infrastructure  Development  Corporation  Limited  (NHIDCL)  across  the country;
- (b)    if so, the details of the projects of NHIDCL affected due to lack of funds;
- (c)   whether the Union Government proposes to complete the pending projects of the NHIDCL by meeting the financial crisis; and
- (d)     if so, the details in this regard?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI PON. RADHAKRISHNAN)

(a) &(b) Yes Madam. Some of NHIDCL's Public Funded projects under Engineering, Procurement  &  Construction  (EPC)  mode  are  having  slow  progress  due  to  post contractual developments including financial health of the Contractors. Five contracts  on  National  Highway  between  Numaligarh  to  Dibrugarh  in  Assam  are affected.

(c) & (d) No  Madam,  there  is  no  such  proposal.  However,  under  EPC  mode, contractors are being provided an advance upto 10% of the contract value against the bank guarantee.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3161 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-03
Subject: Installation of Modern Equipments at Calicut Airport
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: KURUPPASSERY VARKEY THOMAS, FAIZAL P.P. MOHAMMED

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 3161 (To be answered om the August 2017) 3rd

## INSTALLATION OF MODERN EQUIPMENTS AT CALICUT AIRPORT

3161.

PROF KV. THOMAS MOHAMMED FAIZAL

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- whether there is any proposal to erect navigation radar and other (a) for the better functioning of calicut airport in Kerala; modern   equipments system
- whether all the airports in the country are equipped to facilitate the {ndihgt and take-off of aircrafts during bad weather; and
- the details thereof including estimated cost from the same and likely (b) if s0, time of its completion;
- (d) and other modern equipments s0 that flights can be navigation radar operated even in bad weather?

## ANSWER

Minister 0f State in the Ministry of CIVI AVIATION

(Shri Jayant Sinha)

(c) & (d) No, the traffic density, the weather conditions and the process   Depending upon classified for operations under Instrument terrain, the airports are and Visual Meteorological Conditions are equipped with Instrument (VMC) modern equipment to facilitate flight Landing System (ILS) and Presentlv, 53 airports in the

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3160 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-03
Subject: Sale of Electricity to Railways at a Higher Price
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: VEENA DEVI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3160 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.08.2017

## SALE OF ELECTRICITY TO RAILWAYS AT A HIGHER PRICE

†3160.  SHRIMATI VEENA DEVI:

Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

(a) whether an agreement has been signed to sell electricity to Indian Railways through Dabhol Power Project at the rate of Rs. 5.5 per unit upto next five years;

- (b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the said selling price of electricity is much higher than the selling prices applied to the other big buyers of electricity in the country;

- (d) if so, the facts thereof;
- (e) the reasons behind selling electricity at higher price; and

(f) the  reasons  due  to  which  the  cost  of  power  generation  in  Dabhol Project is higher than the average cost of power generation?

## A N S W E R

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR POWER, COAL, NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND MINES

( SHRI  PIYUSH GOYAL )

(a) to (f) : Yes,  Madam.  Ratnagiri  Gas  &  Power  Pvt.  Ltd.  (RGPPL)  has signed a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Indian Railways for supply of  500 MW power at a fixed tariff of Rs.5.50 per unit for five years w.e.f 01.04.2017. The selling price of electricity by a power plant depends upon the cost of generation, which consists of the depreciation, the fuel cost, the  O&M  cost  and  the  interest  on  capital  etc.    RGPPL  is  a  gas  based power plant. It was allocated 7.6 Million Metric Standard Cubic Meter per Day  (MMSCMD)  of  domestic  gas.      However,  due  to  non-availability  of domestic  gas,  it  is  receiving  only  0.6  MMSCMD  of  domestic  gas.  The balance requirement of gas is being met from imported Liquified Natural Gas (LNG), which is more expensive as compared to domestic gas.

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