opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1152 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-09
Subject: Inclusion of Irrigation Projects under PMKSY
Ministry: WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANAGA REJUVENATION
Asked by: KOTHA PRABHAKAR REDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1152

ANSWERED ON 09.02.2017

## INCLUSION OF IRRIGATION PROJECTS UNDER PMKSY

## 1152. SHRI PRABHAKAR REDDY KOTHA

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

(a)  whether  the  Central  Cabinet  Sub  Committee  has  given  in  principle  acceptance  to  include various irrigation projects like SRSP, Komaram Bhim Project etc. under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) First phase, if so, the details thereof;

- (b) whether a meeting was held recently on the progress of implementation of the Yojana, if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  the  details  of  the  recommendations  made  by  the  said  committee  and  the  follow  up  action taken thereon;
- (d) whether any proposals were submitted requesting the Government to give grants and loans thereunder; and

(e) if so, the details thereof and the action taken thereon?

## ANSWER

## THE  MINISTER  OF  STATE  FOR  WATER  RESOURCES,  RIVER  DEVELOPMENT  AND GANGA REJUVENATION (DR. SANJEEV KUMAR BALYAN)

(a) to (c) The Government has approved a proposal to complete Ninety Nine (99) ongoing projects  under  AIBP  having  irrigation  potential  of  76.03  lakh  ha.,  in  phases  up  to  December, 2019.    Out  of  these  99  projects,  23  projects  are  targeted  for  completion  in  first  phase  during Financial Year 2016-17. SRSP-II and Komaram Bhim Projects are included in the 99 prioritized projects with target completion during 2017 in the second phase.

As a follow up, a mission has been established for implementation of these 99 prioritized projects.    Further,  the  funding  mechanism  for  these  projects  has  been  put  in  place  for  both Central Assistance and State Share, if required.

(d) A meeting was held under the chairmanship of CEO (NITI Aayog) on 23.10.2016 to review the  progress  of  schemes  under  PMKSY.  The  concerned  Ministries  were  advised  to  expedite various schemes.

(e) During FY 2016-17, the proposals of 70 (along with 7 phases) projects received under AIBP and 12 projects received under Command Area Development & Water Management (CADWM) projects have been processed and Central Assistance of Rs. 2133.2 cr. under AIBP (Rs. 824.90 cr.  through Budget and Rs.1308.27 cr. through NABARD) and Rs 691.75 cr. under CADWM component through NABARD has been released to those projects.  Further,  state  share  of  the prioritized  projects  of  Maharashtra  and  Gujarat  amounting  of  Rs.  1227  cr.  and  Rs.  463  cr. respectively has also been released by NABARD as per their proposals.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1151 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-09
Subject: Development of Bio-fuels
Ministry: NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Asked by: DUSHYANT CHAUTALA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED  QUESTION

TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.02.2017

## DEVELOPMENT OF BIO-FUELS

## 1151. SHRI DUSHYANT CHAUTALA:

Will the Minister of NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the Government  has  planned  to  reduce  import  of  crude  oil through development of bio-fuels by the year 2030; and
- (b)      if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  action  plan  of    the  Government  for  the  said purpose?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b): The  plan    for  reduction  of  import  of  crude  oil  includes  the  following measures :

- i. Increasing domestic production of oil and gas;
- ii. Promoting energy efficiency and conservation measures;
- iii. Giving thrust to demand substitution;
- iv. Capitalising  untapped  potential  in  Biofuels  and  other  alternate  fuels  /  renewable fuels; and
- v. Implementing measures for refinery process improvements.

In  addition,  Government  has  indicative  targets  of  blending  biofuels  in  petrol  and diesel up to 20 per cent.

Government  has  also  taken  up  promotional  measures  for  improving  achievement  of blending of ethanol by announcing minimum purchase price of ethanol and has reduced the taxes.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 100 (STARRED), answered on 2017-02-08
Subject: Prime Minister's 15 Point Programme
Ministry: MINORITY AFFAIRS
Asked by: ASADUDDIN OWAISI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *100

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.02.2017

## PRIME MINISTER'S 15 POINT PROGRAMME

## *100. SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI:

- Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state: (a) the  aims  and  objectives  of  Prime  Minister's  15  Point  Programme  being implemented  for  the  welfare  of  minorities  in  the  country  along  with  its implementation  status  in  the  minority  concentrated  districts  in  the  country during the last three years and the current year; (b) whether the Government has evaluated the physical and financial performance of the programme; and if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  achievements  made under various
- (c) schemes included in the programme during the above period?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS (SHRI MUKHTAR ABBAS NAQVI)

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

*****

## STATEMENT  REFERRED  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (c)  OF  THE  LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *100 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.02.2017 ASKED BY SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI REGARDING 'PRIME MINISTER'S 15 POINT PROGRAMME'

(a) to (c): Prime  Minister's  New  15  Point  Programme  for  the  Welfare  of Minorities (PM's New 15-PP) is an overarching programme, covering 24 schemes /  initiatives  of  11  participating  Ministries  /  Departments,  which  is  implemented throughout the country. All these schemes / initiatives are being implemented by participating Ministries / Departments,   either exclusively or by earmarking of 15% of overall physical / financial targets (under the concerned scheme / initiative) or by monitoring the flow of funds in the minority concentration areas for the welfare of minorities throughout the country.    The  programame  aims  to  promote opportunities for education as well as social welfare by ensuring equitable share for  minorities  in  economic  activities  and  employment  through  existing  and  new schemes, enhanced credit support for self-employment and recruitment to State and Central Government jobs. As per the information received from participating Ministries  /  Departments,  the  details  of  targets  and  achievement  under  various schemes / initiatives covered under the programme; including funds sanctioned, released  and  utilized  during  the  last  three  years  as  well  as  the  current  year  in various States / UTs, are available on the Ministry's official website www.minorityaffairs.gov.in.

The  performance  of  schemes  /  initiatives  of  other  Ministres  and  Departments included  in  the  PM's  New  15-PP  is  evaluated  by  the  Ministries  concerned  as evaluation and review are continuous process. In respect of the schemes of the Ministry meant exclusively for minority communities, evaluation is carried out as and when it is warranted and is also a continuous process.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 99 (STARRED), answered on 2017-02-08
Subject: Heritage Conservation
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: DHANANJAY BHIMRAO MAHADIK, BHARATENDRA SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.99

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.02.2017

## HERITAGE CONSERVATION

- *99.  SHRI DHANANJAY MAHADIK: KUNWAR BHARATENDRA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the present status of heritage conservation of Indian Railways;
- (b) whether the Railways plans to outsource heritage conservation  activities  and  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the reasons therefor; and
- (c) whether the Government  also proposes to entrust an independent  and  registered  society  comprising  various  stake holders  for  heritage  conservation  work  and  if  so,  the  details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI SURESH PRABHAKAR PRABHU)

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

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (c)  OF STARRED QUESTION NO. 99 BY SHRI DHANANJAY MAHADIK AND KUNWAR BHARATENDRA TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 08.02.2017 REGARDING HERITAGE CONSERVATION.

(a) Indian Railways is committed to conservation of Rail heritage.    As  on  date,    about  25  bridges  and  70  buildings  have been  designated  as  Heritage  properties.  Indian  Railways  have also  preserved  about  220  Steam  Locomotives,  35  Diesel  & Electric Locomotives, 100 vintage coaches & wagons at prominent  places  including  museums,  heritage  park  etc.  for public display.

Currently, there are 34 Museums,  Heritage Parks and Heritage galleries, spread all over India.

There  are  also  four  United  Nations  Educational,  Scientific and  Cultural  Organization (UNESCO)  -  accorded  World  Heritage Sites,    namely,    Darjeeling  Himalayan  Railway,  Nilgiri  Mountain Railway, Kalka Shimla Railway, and Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus building, Mumbai.

On Zonal Railways and Production Units, Heritage Committees  have  been  constituted  for  preservation  of  these heritage properties.  Railway has also signed an agreement with UNESCO  for  preparation  of  Comprehensive  Conservation  and Management Plan of Darjeeling Himalayan Railway.

(b) Currently  Railways  do  not  have  any  plan  to  outsource heritage conservation activities.

(c) There is no proposal to entrust heritage conservation work to  an  independent  and  registered  society  comprising  of  various stake holders.

* * * **
Lok Sabha Question No. 95 (STARRED), answered on 2017-02-08
Subject: Indo-Pak Relations
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: RAYAPATI SAMBASIVA RAO, M. I. SHANAVAS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.95 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.02.2017

## INDO-PAK RELATIONS

- *95. SHRI RAYAPATI SAMBASIVA RAO: SHRI M.I. SHANAVAS:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the present status of relationship with Pakistan post Pathankot and Uri attacks;
- (b) whether  efforts  have  been  made  by  Pakistan  to  improve  its relationship with India post these attacks and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the details of interactions which have been made by India and Pakistan during this period; and
- (d) the present status of Secretary-level talks with Pakistan?

ANSWER THE MINISTER FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRIMATI SUSHMA SWARAJ)

- (a) to (d) A statement is laid on the table of the House.

*****

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) to (d) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 95 REGARDING 'INDO-PAK RELATIONS' FOR ANSWER ON 08.02.2017

India  wishes  to  have  good-neighbourly  relations  with  Pakistan.  The  talks envisaged between Foreign Secretaries of the two countries to decide the modalities of  the  Composite  Bilateral  Dialogue,  agreed  during  the  visit  of  External  Affairs Minister  to  Islamabad  in  December  2015,  could  not  take  place  due  to  the  terrorist attack  on  Pathankot  Air  Base  in  January  2016  and  other  terrorist  attacks  in  2016 emanating from Pakistan.

The  Government's  diplomatic  efforts  in  the  wake  of  Pathankot  and  Uri terrorist attacks led to widespread recognition internationally that Pakistan's policy to sponsor and support terrorism against its neighbours posed the biggest challenge to peace  and  stability  in  the  region  and  beyond.  The  Government  was  also  able  to effectively neutralize Pakistan's efforts to internationalize Kashmir  issue, and conveyed  to  India's  interlocutors  that  normalization  of  India-Pakistan  relations through a peaceful bilateral dialogue can take place only in a conducive environment free from violence and terrorism.

During this period, the Governments of India and Pakistan remained in touch through bilateral diplomatic channels, including for addressing all urgent humanitarian and other matters concerning people-to-people ties.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 94 (STARRED), answered on 2017-02-08
Subject: Strengthening Alliances with BIMSTEC and BBIN
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: BAIJAYANT "JAY" PANDA

- *94.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFIARS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.94 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.02.2017

## STRENGTHENING ALLIANCES WITH BIMSTEC AND BBIN

- SHRI BAIJAYANT JAY PANDA:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether any progress has been made in strengthening alliances  with  the  Bay  of  Bengal  Initiative  for  Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) and Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN);
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether  India  is  planning  to  use  the  BIMSTEC  and  BBIN partnerships  to  exert  pressure  on  Pakistan  to  honour  the terms of ceasefire; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

ANSWER THE MINISTER FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRIMATI SUSHMA SWARAJ)

- (a) to (d) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*****

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 94 REGARDING 'STRENGTHENING  ALLIANCES  WITH  BIMSTEC  AND  BBIN'  FOR ANSWER ON 08.02.2017

Towards strengthening regional cooperation under the Bay of Bengal Initiative for  Multi-Sectoral  Technical  and  Economic  Cooperation  (BIMSTEC)  comprising Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Thailand, India took the initiative to organise the BIMSTEC Leaders Retreat in October 16, 2016 in Goa. At the  Retreat,  it  was  agreed  to  intensify  cooperation  under  BIMSTEC  and  an  Action Plan was accordingly drawn up for implementation of initiatives that promote trade, transit and movement of vehicular traffic, enhancing connectivity, disaster management,  information  and  intelligence  sharing,  coastal  shipping,  energy  trade, technology transfer, combating terrorism, agriculture, economic, technical and infrastructure  cooperation,  and  developing  an  Agenda  for  2030.  Follow-up  work  is being  undertaken  by  Member  Countries  of  BIMSTEC  to  fructify  progress  in  these areas.

2. Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN) have also signed a sub-regional Motor  Vehicle  Agreement  in  June  2015  for  regulation  of  passenger,  personal  and cargo vehicular traffic between the four BBIN countries. India, Nepal and Bangladesh have ratified the Agreement while the same is under consideration in Bhutan. In the meanwhile, successful demonstration runs of passenger and cargo services have been organised. Cooperation under BBIN is also being discussed in the areas of power and water resources management.

3. The Government expects that regional cooperation would advance under both BIMSTEC and BBIN. We hope that these examples would also impact positively, on SAARC and encourage an atmosphere free of terror and violence that is conducive for regional cooperation.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 86 (STARRED), answered on 2017-02-08
Subject: Reforms in Public Broadcasting
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: CH. MALLA REDDY, MUTHAMSETTI SRINIVASA RAO (AVNTHI)

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 86 (TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.2.2017)

## REFORMS IN PUBLIC BROADCASTING

*86. SHRI CH. MALLA REDDY:

SHRI MUTHAMSETTI SRINIVASA RAO (AVANTHI):

## Will the MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state:

- (a)   whether several committees, including Sam Pitroda Panel have recommended structural reforms in the Public Broadcasting and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether  a  panel  of  Secretaries  has  also  suggested  the  Government  to  make  public broadcasters, Doordarshan (DD) and All India Radio (AIR), corporate entities so as to reduce  their  dependence  on  Government  funds  and  give  them  elbow  room  to  take decisions; and
- (c)   if so, the reaction of the Government thereto?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING [SHRI M. VENKAIAH NAIDU]

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

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 86 FOR ANSWER ON 08.2.2017.

(a): In  the  recent  past,  the  Government  had  set  up  an  Expert  Committee  under  the Chairmanship of Shri Sam Pitroda on 28.01.2013, to review the functioning of Prasar Bharati. The Committee had submitted its Report on 24.1.2014 and recommended framing a long-term vision  and  strategy  for  Prasar  Bharati  that  would  include  and  be  dependent  upon  the technology  choices,  assessment  of  human  resources,  review  of  programming,  including review of existing channels and  also a study of independent sources of finances for Prasar Bharati.  Details  of  recommendations  of  the  Expert  Committee  may  be  seen  in  its  Report which  is  available  on  the  website  of  the  Ministry  of  Information  and  Broadcasting  at  the following address: www.mib.nic.in>>Documents>>Broadcasting-Documents>>Report  of Expert  Committee  on  Prasar  Bharati  Vol  1  and  Report  of  Expert  Committee  on  Prasar Bharati Vol 2 .

(b):    A  Group  of  Secretaries  has  been  considering,  apart  from  issues  relating  to  other Ministries,  the  issues  concerning  the  Ministry  of  Information  and  Broadcasting  also  but  no Report of the Group has been received by this Ministry.

(c):    In view of (b) above, the question does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 84 (STARRED), answered on 2017-02-08
Subject: Commissioning of KNPP
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: PR. SENTHILNATHAN, P.R. SUNDARAM

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 84

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.02.2017

## COMMISSIONING OF KNPP

- *84. SHRI PR. SENTHIL NATHAN: SHRI P.R. SUNDARAM:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has received any request from the State Government of Tamil Nadu for early commissioning of unit II of Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP);
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government in this regard;
- (c) the installed capacity of the KNPP unit II; and
- (d) the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  provide  adequate  compensation  and job  opportunities  for  the  local  people  who  have  been  displaced  due  to  this power plant?

## ANSWER

THE  MINISTER  OF  STATE  FOR  PERSONNEL,  PUBLIC  GRIEVANCES  & PENSIONS AND PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (Dr. JITENDRA SINGH):

- (a) to (d) A statement is placed on the Table of the House.
- *******

## Government of India Department of Atomic Energy

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 84 DUE FOR ANSWER ON 08.02.2017 BY SHRI PR. SENTHIL NATHAN AND SHRI P. R. SUNDARAM REGARDING 'COMMISSIONING OF KNPP'.

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- (a) Yes, Sir.
- (b) The  second  unit  of  Kudankulam  project  (KKNPP-2  -  1000  MW)  was  made critical  on  July  10,  2016  and  connected  to  the  grid  on  August  29,  2016. Thereafter, the unit  power  was  raised  in  steps  in  line with  regulatory clearances and it  reached  its  full  power  of  1000  MW  on  January  21,  2017. The  unit  is  presently  under  test  operation  at  its  rated  power  of  1000  MW, generating  infirm  (non-commercial)  power.  The  unit  is  expected  to  start commercial operation in the current financial year.
- (c) The installed capacity of the unit is 1000 MW. It has generated about 1515 Million Units of electricity (upto January 31, 2017) since its connection to grid.
- (d) There was no displacement involved at Kudankulam. The compensation for land and landed assets as finalised by the State Government was paid to the land owners. The setting up of the project provided employment opportunities for  the  local  people  in  Nuclear  Power  Corporation of  India  Limited  (NPCIL). About  97%  of  the  employees  in  Group  B,  C  &  erstwhile  Group  D  at Kudankulam  are  from  Tamil  Nadu  State.  Large  number  of  locals  are employed  with  the  contractors.  In  addition,  business  opportunities  for  the locals in supply of goods and services have also been generated.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1148 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-08
Subject: Real Time Monitoring of Skill Requirement
Ministry: SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Asked by: MEENAKASHI LEKHI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1148 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.02.2017

## REAL TIME MONITORING OF SKILL REQUIREMENT

## 1148. SHRIMATI MEENAKASHI LEKHI:

## Will  the  Minister  of  SKILL  DEVELOPMENT  AND  ENTREPRENEURSHIP  be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  identified  areas  where  skilled  manpower  will  be needed  on  a  Real  time  Monitoring  Basis  and  encourage  skill  development  as  per  the specific need and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the  steps  taken  for  the  simplification  in  the  application  process  to  open  a  new enterprise/company; and
- (c) whether there is any proposal to reduce the Company Registration Fee and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP (SHRI RAJIV PRATAP RUDY)

- (a) The Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship had got a study conducted through National Skill  Development  Corporation  (NSDC)  in  2015, to assess  the manpower requirement and to identify the skill gaps. Based on the findings of the study and subsequent consultations with the Central Ministries/Departments concerned, sector wise skill gaps have been identified, availability of infrastructure has been assessed and funding requirements have been estimated.  It is estimated that additional 12.68 crores skilled manpower is required across 34 sectors by 2022, of which approximately 6.9 crore would be met by the current level of skilling and the balance would be met by industry, central and state governments.
- (b) The Ministry of Corporate Affairs has introduced SPICe (INC-32) with the specific objective of simplification of application process for incorporation of a company.  Further, the MCA 21 system has been integrated with CBDT for issuance of PAN/TAN also at the time of incorporation.
- (c) The  Ministry  of  Corporate  Affairs  has  reduced  the  fee  for  incorporation  from Rs.2000  to  Rs.500  vide  notification  dated  29-12-2016  in  continuation  with  Principal Notification No. G.S.R. 250(E) dated 31-3-2014.

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