opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2918 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-17
Subject: Transmission Errors in Pension Disbursement
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: Kunwar Danish Ali

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2918

TO BE ANSWERED ON 17 th  March, 2023

## TRANSMISSION ERRORS IN PENSION DISBURSEMENT

2918.  KUNWAR DANISH ALI:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the Government has taken into cognizance the transmission errors highlighted by the CAG report on Defence Services (2017) in nearly 75 per cent of pension disbursements;
- (b)  if so, the details thereof along with the steps undertaken to investigate and address these transmission errors;
- (c)  whether the Government has taken measures to balance the payment between the pension guaranteed and pension disbursed;
- (d)  if so, the details thereof; and
- (e)  if not, the reasons therefor along with the expected timeline to address these deficiencies?

## A  N  S  W  E  R

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

- (a):  Yes, Sir.

(b):   The Principal Controller of Defence Accounts (Pension), Prayagraj vide their letter No. AT/PSB/VII/BOB dated 02.12.2021, AT/PSB/ VIII/SBI/ CPPC/Patna dated December 2021, AT/PSB/  VIII/CPPC/BOM  dated  Dec  2021,  AT/PSB/III/SBI  GHY/MISC/  2021  dated 01.12.2021, AT/PSB/III/SBI Mumbai/Misc/2021dated 01.12.2021, AT/PSB/III/CBI Mumbai/Misc/2021 dated 01.12.2021, AT/TRY/FARRUKHABAD/UP/2022 dated 11.05.2022 has taken up the matter with the concerned Banks' Central Pension Processing Cells (CPPCs)/Pension Disbursement Agencies (PDAs) to improve the systematic inefficiencies.

2.    The  recently  implemented  web-based  pension  sanctioning  and  disbursement  system namely  'System  of  Pension  Administration  -  Raksha'  (SPARSH)  envisages  to  mitigate theproblems  highlighted  in  the  C&AG  Report,  which  in  Para  4.12  of  the  Report  has highlighted the systemic inefficiencies as 'Symptomatic' thereby underscoring the need for a more robust pension disbursement system.
2. (c):  Yes,Sir.

(d):  To overcome the systemic inefficiencies as highlighted by the CAG report on Defence Services (2017), the Govt of India has implemented a robust and comprehensive web-based pension  sanctioning  and  disbursement  system  named  as  SPARSH  for  defence  pensioners providing  for  online  processing  of  pension  claims  involving  initiation,  pensioner  data verification, audit authentication, sanctioning and disbursement on one single platform.

- (e):   Not Applicable in view of reply to part (d) above.

*****

(SHRI AJAY BHATT)
Lok Sabha Question No. 2915 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-17
Subject: New Initiatives of ICCR
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Kumbakudi Sudhakaran, Gaurav Gogoi

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

ANSWERED ON- 17/03/2023

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-2915

## NEW INITIATIVES OF ICCR

2915. SHRI KUMBAKUDI SUDHAKARAN SHRI GAURAV GOGOI

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state :-

(a) whether the Government has any structured mechanism to enhance India's soft power across the globe and if so, the details thereof;

(b) the new initiatives taken by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) towards strengthening soft power of the country and budgetary expenditure therefor; and

(c) the details of the countries where these initiatives are running?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

(SMT. MEENAKSHI LEKHI)

(a to c) Under the guidance of the Ministry, ICCR has taken various new initiatives to develop cultural relations and create mutual understanding with other nations.  It has made new forays in projecting India's democratic credentials, cuisines, arts & crafts, in addition to ongoing activities such as yoga, classical dance, music etc.   ICCR has also enhanced its outreach across the globe through various online activities.  The budget allocated to ICCR in the year 2022-23 is Rs.320 crores.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2912 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-17
Subject: Training Programme for Recruitment in Defence Forces
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: Chandeshwar Prasad

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2912

TO BE ANSWERED ON 17 th  March, 2023

## TRAINING PROGRAMME FOR RECRUITMENT IN DEFENCE FORCES

2912.  SHRI CHANDESHWAR PRASAD:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the Government conducts any training programme to encourage recruitments in the defence forces; and
- (b)  if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise and region-wise?

## A  N  S  W  E  R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(SHRI AJAY BHATT)

(a) & (b):  Yes, Sir. The cadets of National Cadet Corps (NCC) are imparted military training to  encourage  them  to  join  the  defence  forces.    The  Government  has  also  set  up  schools (Sainik  School,  Military  School,  Rashtriya  Indian  Military  College)  which  impart  training with the aim of encouraging and preparing the students to join the defence forces. The  Government  has  taken  a  number  of  measures  to  reduce  the  shortages  and  to encourage  recruitments  in  the  Armed  Forces.    These,  inter-alia,  include  sustained  image projection,  participation  in  career  fairs  and  exhibitions  and  publicity  campaign  to  create awareness  among  the  youth  on  the  advantages  of  taking  up  a  challenging  and  satisfying career in the Armed Forces.  To encourage the youth to join the Armed Forces, motivational lectures are regularly organized in schools/ colleges/ other educational institutes and National

Cadet Corps (NCC) camps.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2910 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-17
Subject: Super Speciality Hospital in Bhagalpur
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Ajay Kumar Mandal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-2910 TO BE ANSWERED ON- 17/03/2023

## SUPER SPECIALITY HOSPITAL IN BHAGALPUR

## 2910. SHRI AJAY KUMAR MANDAL:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:-

- (a)  whether  the  people  are  not  getting  required  healthcare  services  due  to  the  slow  pace  of construction of Super Specialty Hospital in Bhagalpur Parliamentary constituency;
- (b) if so, the necessary steps taken to expedite the process; (c)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  take  any  punitive  action  against  the  construction companies involved in the said project for the slow pace of construction work; (d) if so, the number of times the construction companies were served notices on the subject along with the penalty imposed therefor; (e) whether the parking arrangement in the said project is not as per the demand, due to which a
- jam like situation is likely to arise on the main road in future; and
- (f) if so, whether the parking lot has been constructed post survey on the matter?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (DR. BHARATI PRAVIN PAWAR)

(a)  to  (f):  As  per  the  Agreement  between  the  Executing  Agency  and  the  Contractor,  the construction of the Super Speciality Block (SSB) at Government Medical College, Bhagalpur was scheduled for completion by February, 2020. As per the Executing Agency, the civil, electrical & horticulture infrastructure work has been completed. As informed by the Executing Agency, action has been taken against the Contractor in accordance with the terms & conditions of the Agreement and  some  amounts  have  been  withheld  from  the  contractor's  intermediate  bills  for  nonachievements  of  milestones.  The  facility  for  parking  has  been  constructed  as  per  pre-decided planning on the available land in consultation with GMC Bhagalpur.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2908 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-17
Subject: Empanelment of Hospitals under CGHS
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Dhal Singh Bisen

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2908 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17 TH  MARCH, 2023

## EMPANELMENT OF HOSPITALS UNDER CGHS

## 2908.   DR. DHAL SINGH BISEN:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) The details of criteria laid down to empanel hospitals under CGHS; (b) The details of Government and private hospitals empanelled under CGHS in Jabalpur; and

- (c) Whether the Government has received fresh applications for empanelment of hospitals under CGHS and if so, the details thereof including in Jabalpur?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (DR. BHARATI PRAVIN PAWAR)

- (a) to (c): Details of the Continuous Empanelment Scheme for empanelment of Private Health Care  Organizations  (HCOs)  under  CGHS  are  in  public  domain  on  CGHS  Website  at www.cghs.gov.in (Download Tab  Draft for MoA).
- 23  General  hospitals,  8  Exclusive  Eye  Centres,  10  Dental  Clinics  and  2  Diagnostics/ Imaging  Centres  are  empanelled  under  CGHS,  Jabalpur.  Application  for  empanelment  under CGHS, Jabalpur has been received.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2907 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-17
Subject: Hindustan Insecticides Limited
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Suresh Kodikunnil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS DEPARTMENT OF CHEMICALS & PETROCHEMICALS

## LOK SABHA UN-STARRED QUESTION No. 2907 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.03.2023

## Hindustan Insecticides Limited

## 2907. SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH :

Will the Minister of CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS be pleased to state:

- a.  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  close  down  and  cease  operations  of Kerala and Punjab plants of Hindustan Insecticides Limited;
- b.  if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- c.  whether the redeployment of employees of both Kerala and Punjab plants of Hindustan Insecticides Limited is being considered by the Government;
- d.  if so, the details thereof;
- e.  whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  the  reports  that  salaries  of  the employees have not been disbursed for the last five months; and
- f.  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  action  taken/proposed  to  be  taken  in  this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS (SHRI BHAGWANTH KHUBA)

- a.   Yes, Sir.
- b.  HIL(India)'s Ltd two plants at Kerala and Punjab are incurring losses for the last  several years and are unviable to be operated due to various reasons. Due  to  the  gradual  reduction  and  ultimate  stoppage  of  DDT  production  at Kerala plant, the utility cost distribution to agrochemicals has resulted in high cost  of  production.  Moreover,  due  to  locational  disadvantage,  inbound  and outbound transportation costs were abnormally high. Low capacity utilization resulted  in  high  fixed  overhead  cost  per  unit. The  Punjab  plant  is  an agrochemical formulation plant for solid and liquid pesticides. The Technical grade of pesticides are transported from company's Maharashtra and Kerala plant  and  formulated  in  Punjab,  which  make  overall  proposition  unviable. Punjab plant is also suffering losses due to low automation, manual packing, excess manpower, non-availability of raw materials. Due to above-mentioned reasons its operations have become unviable.
- c.  No, Sir
- d.  Not Applicable
- e.  Yes, Sir
- f.  The Department has proposed closure of the two units of HIL (India) Limited i.e. Bathinda in Punjab and Udyogamandal in Kerala. Accordingly, a proposal seeking  funds  from  the  Government  has  been  made  to  cater  to  meet  the expenditure arising on account of VRS/VSS and payment of balance dues of the employees of both units proposed for closure.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2904 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-17
Subject: Protection Officers under Mission Shakti
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: S. Venkatesan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UN-STARRED QUESTION NO. 2904 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.03.2023

## PROTECTION OFFICERS UNDER MISSION SHAKTI

## 2904.   SHRI S. VENKATESAN:

Will the Minister of Women and Child Development be pleased to state:

- a. the number of districts where Protection Officers are appointed to implement ' Mission Shakti ' to provide safety and security to women, State-wise; and
- b. the  number  of  female  Protection  Officers  appointed  out  of  the  total,  Statewise?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

- (a)  &  (b):     The  Government  of  India  has  enacted  'the  Protection  of  Women  from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 (PWDV Act) ' .  As per Section 8 of the PWDV Act, the State Government shall, by notification, appoint such number of Protection Officers (POs) in each district as it may consider necessary and shall also notify the area or areas within  which a  Protection Officer shall exercise the powers and perform the duties conferred on him or under this Act. Further, the Protection Officer shall as far as  possible  be  women.   The  State/  UT-wise  data  regarding  number  of  Protection Officers is not maintained centrally.

Further,  the  Government implements 'Mission Shakti',  an umbrella Scheme  for safety, security and empowerment of women having various components under it's two sub-schemes namely 'Sambal' and 'Samarthaya'. The One Stop Centre (OSC) component of 'Mission Shakti' provides for integrated support to distressed women under  one  roof  such  as  medical  aid,  legal  aid  and  counseling,  psycho  social counseling,  police  facilitation  and  temporary  shelter.  As  on  date  733  OSCs  are functional  throughout  the  country.  The  Women  Helpline  (WHL),  which  provides assistance  to  distressed  women  by  connecting  them  to  appropriate  authorities  is functional  in  34  States/  UTs.   The  Central  Government  provides  100%  financial assistance to States/ UTs for setting up and running of OSCs and WHLs including cost  of  manpower.  Under  'Mission  Shakti',  it  has  been  envisaged  that  all  the functionaries  at  State/  District  level  including  the  OSCs,  WHLs,  the  Women  Help Desks (WHDs), Anti Human Trafficking Units (AHTUs) etc.  assisted under Nirbhaya Fund   and  the  Statutory  Officers  under  various  Acts  including  Protection  Officers under PWDV Act, work in close coordination and  convergence, for ensuring safety and security of women and girls in the country.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 2900 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-17
Subject: Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Jadon Chandra Sen, Sanjay Haribhau Jadhav

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACEUTICALS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2900

TO BE ANSWERED ON 17 th  March, 2023

## Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana

## †2900. DR. CHANDRA SEN JADON: SHRI SANJAY JADHAV:

Will the Minister of CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  conducted  any  survey/study  regarding  the  status  of implementation  of  Pradhan  Mantri  Bhartiya  Jan  Aushadhi  Pariyojana  (PMBJP)  up  to block/district level, State/UT-wise;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  has  considered  nominating  eminent  medical  administrators  or expert industry representatives in the Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India (BPPI);
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (e)  whether  grant  is  provided  by  the  Government  to  the  BPPI  to  meet  the  requirements  of administrative expenses, salary etc;
- (f) whether there is any proposal to provide such grant by the Government for the said purpose; and
- (g) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS (SHRI BHAGWANTH KHUBA)

- (a) & (b): An evaluation study by a third party for 'Improving Effectiveness of Jan Aushadhi (JA)  Stores'  was  got  conducted  by  the  Department  during  January,  2019.  Departmental Parliamentary  Standing  Committee  also  reviewed  the  scheme  and  submitted  its  report  in March, 2021. Based on the aforesaid report/ recommendations, further follow up actions on implementation of the scheme were taken.
- (c) & (d): CMD/ MDs of the Pharma Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) are already members of the Governing Council and Executive Council of the Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI), the Implementing Agency of the Scheme as industry representatives. Further,  the  Department  has  constituted  a  committee  to  review  the  product  basket  of  the scheme  which  has  academic,  medical  and  regulatory  experts  from  National  Institute  of Pharmaceutical  Education  &  Research  (NIPER),  Directorate  General  of  Health  Services (DGHS), Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) and National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) respectively.
- (e) to (g): The Government releases grants to PMBI for providing incentives to Kendra owners, procurement of products to be sold at discounted rates, media & publicity and establishment expenses of Pharma Bureau set up under PMBI.
Lok Sabha Question No. 2899 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-17
Subject: Spectrographic Investigation of Nebular Gas Project
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

ANSWERED ON- 17/03/2023

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-2899

## SPECTROGRAPHIC INVESTIGATION OF NEBULAR GAS PROJECT

2899. SHRI LAVU SRI KRISHNA DEVARAYALU

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS  pleased to state :-

(a) whether the Spectrographic Investigation of Nebular Gas (SING) project, which is the first space collaboration between India and China, has been put on hold which has worried astrophysicists;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;

(c) the steps taken by the Government to expedite the export clearance for the project; and

(d) whether the project will be implemented as per the schedule and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

(SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN)

(a to d) 'The Spectrographic Investigation of Nebular Gas (SING) Project' is not a direct collaboration between India and China.

The SING Project proposal was submitted by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) to the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA). UNOOSA had called for proposals under the 'Space for All' program for the United Nations / China Cooperation on the Utilization of the China Space programme in 2018.

An application for export authorization in this case has not been received as of date.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2897 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-17
Subject: Health in Concurrent List
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Suresh Pujari

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2897 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17 TH MARCH, 2023

## HEALTH IN CONCURRENT LIST

## 2897. SHRI SURESH PUJARI:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there is any proposal under consideration to shift health from the State List to the Concurrent List and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether non-inclusion of Health in the concurrent List has resulted in refusal by many State Governments including Odisha to implement Central Health Schemes like the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, resulting in deprivation of the stakeholders from thereach of the Yojana and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether the Union Government has taken up or proposes to take up the matter with the State Government of Odisha to implement Ayushman Bharat Yojana in the State and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (DR. BHARATI PRAVIN PAWAR)

(a) to  (c):  Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) launched on 23.09.2018 is the world's largest health protection scheme which provides health coverage of Rs. 5 lakh per beneficiary family per annum to over 60 crore beneficiaries identified on the basis of select deprivation, and occupational criteria, in rural and urban areas respectively, as per SECC database  of  2011.  The  scheme  is  designed  to  provide financial risk protection against catastrophic  health  expenditure  and  is  implemented  in  insurance  or  trust  or  mixed  mode  as decided  by  State/UT.  There  is  no  proposal  as  such  to  shift  health  from  the  State  List  to  the Concurrent List.

States/UT of Odisha, West Bengal and Delhi are not implementing the scheme. Government of India is pursuing with these States/UT to join the scheme so that eligible beneficiaries are not deprived of healthcare benefits.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2896 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-17
Subject: e-cigarettes
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Asaduddin Owaisi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2896 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17 TH  MARCH 2023

## e-CIGARETTES

## 2896   SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI:

Will the MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether e-cigarettes have been banned in the country in 2019 and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether e-cigarettes are still available through online stores and local vendors and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether his Ministry has asked all the States and UTs to carry out special drives near school and colleges to prevent marketing and sale of e-cigarettes;

- (d) if so, the detailed guidelines issue to State and UTs in this regard; and

(e) the punitive steps taken against such seller and marketers under the Prohibition of Electronic E-Cigarettes Act 2019?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (DR. BHARATI PRAVIN PAWAR)

(a) to (e): The  Government  of  India  prohibited  electronic-cigarettes  and  like  devices through 'The Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes (production, manufacture, import, export, transport, sale, distribution, storage and advertisement) Act, 2019. The Act was notified on 5 th December, 2019.

The enforcement of the Act lies with the States and Union Territories. This Ministry has been requesting the States/UTs to take necessary steps for implementation of the provisions of the Act. With the increasing availability of such prohibited devices, as reported through media reports, recently, Chief Secretaries of all States and Union Territories have been requested to review  the  compliance  status  of  the  provisions  of  The  Electronic  Cigarettes  (Production, Manufacture, Import, Export, Transport, Sale, Distribution, Storage and Advertisement) Act, 2019 and issue necessary instructions for effective implementation of the provisions of the Act through special drives at school and college level to ensure that such products are not sold & used.

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