opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 4791 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-29
Subject: QCOs
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Ramesh Bidhuri

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT FOR PROMOTION OF INDUSTRY AND INTERNAL TRADE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4791. TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 29 TH  MARCH, 2023.

QCOs

## 4791.  SHRI RAMESH BIDHURI:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY be pleased to state:

## वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री

- (a) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  introduce  new  Quality  Control  Orders (QCOs) for imported goods;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor;
- (c) the other steps taken for containing import of the sub-standard goods; and
- (d) the details of the steps taken by the Government for boosting domestic industry?

## ANSWER

## वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्रालय में राज्य मंत्री ( श्री सोम प्रकाश ) THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (SHRI SOM PARKASH)

- (a)  &  (b): Quality  Control  Orders  (QCOs)  are  issued  by  the  concerned  line  Ministry/ Department of the Central Government primarily under the provisions of BIS Act, 2016. The QCOs are applicable to products domestically manufactured as well as imported. The focus of the government is to bring  products under the ambit of QCOs for the development of the quality ecosystem in the country and to provide the consumers with quality products. Accordingly, various line ministries/ departments of the Government identify products to be included under the ambit of QCOs.
- (c): Even after BIS license is granted for the product falling under the QCOs, both domestic  and  foreign  manufacturing  units  are  required  to  ensure  that  the products produced by them are tested regularly and follow a defined scheme of  inspection  &  testing.  As  a  part  of  its  market  and  factory  surveillance activities, BIS conducts surveillance visit at the licenses manufacturing units and also draws samples from the factories as well as from the market and gets them tested at BIS Labs or BIS recognized labs.
- (d): Central Government facilitates industrialization and supplements efforts to set up industries through a number of schemes/ initiatives implemented by various Ministries/  Departments.  The  major  policy  initiatives  for  industries  includes Make in  India,  Start  Up  India,  Gati  Shakti,  Industrial  Corridors,  Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme, National Single Window System (NSWS), One District  One  Product  (ODOP),  GIS  enabled  Land  Bank,  Foreign  Direct Investment  (FDI)  Policy  Reforms,  Project  Monitoring  Group  to  remove bottlenecks in setting up of major infrastructure projects, Special Packages for North Eastern and Himalayan Regions, Setting up of Industrial Park, Stand up India,   introduction  of  Goods  and  Service  Tax,  reduction  in  Corporate  tax, interventions to improve ease of doing business, measures for reduction in compliance burden, policy measures to boost domestic manufacturing through public procurement orders, and Phased Manufacturing Programme (PMP) etc.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4790 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-29
Subject: Cities under 5G Services
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Rajmohan Unnithan, Amar Singh, Vincent H Pala, Behanan Benny, Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4790 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29 TH   MARCH, 2023

## CITIES UNDER 5G SERVICES

4790.   SHRI RAJMOHAN UNNITHAN: DR. AMAR SINGH: SHRI VINCENT H. PALA: SHRI BENNY BEHANAN: SHRI RAM MOHAN NAIDU KINJARAPU:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the number of cities in India that are covered under 5G services as on February 2023;
- (b) the number of cities/districts in North East India, Kasargod, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh where this service has been launched;
- (c) the tentative date by which all districts including Srikakulam, are expected to be connected with 5G services;
- (d) the details of the proposed strategy for nationwide 5G connectivity deployment;
- (e) the details of the estimated cost of 5G coverage for the entire nation;
- (f) whether 5G technology increases the risk of hacking due to lack of encryption during the connection process, making devices that use 5G technology easier targets for cyber attacks; and
- (g) if so, the details thereof along with the steps being taken by the Government is taking to address this security concern?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS (SHRI DEVUSINH CHAUHAN)

- (a) At the end of February 2023, 5G services had been started in 329 cities distributed across all Licensed Service Areas (LSAs).
- (b) 5G services have been started in 12 cities of North-East, 31 cities of Kerala and 43 cities of Andhra Pradesh.
- (c) to (e) As  per  the  Notice  Inviting  Application  (NIA)  dated  15-06-2022  for  auction  of spectrum and the license conditions, the rollout obligations are required to be met over a period of five years, in a phased manner, from the date of allocation of spectrum. Further expansion of mobile networks beyond the mandatory rollout obligations and the cost involved depends on the technocommercial consideration of the Telecom Service Providers (TSPs).
- (f) & (g) Adequate  encryption  is  available  in  5G  during  the  connection  process. 3GPP  has defined separate security architecture features and mechanisms for 5G system and 5G core including security procedures to be performed within the 5G system including core and radio part which also includes end to end encryption. Further, as per the license conditions, the licensee is completely and totally responsible for the security of its network.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4789 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-29
Subject: Spices Boards
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Venkatesh Netha Borlakunta, Dayakar Pasunoori, Gaddam Ranjith Reddy, Kavitha Malothu

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4789 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29 th  MARCH,2023

## SPICES BOARDS

## 4789.   SHRI VENKATESH NETHA BORLAKUNTA:

## SHRI PASUNOORI DAYAKAR:

DR. G. RANJITH REDDY:

SHRIMATI KAVITHA MALOTHU:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE & INDUSTRY ( वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मं त्री ) be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there are two Spices Boards for Coriander in Guna in Madhya Pradesh and also at Ramganjmandi in Rajasthan and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether there are also three Spices Boards for Chillis, one at Guntur in Andhra Pradesh, one at Chhindwara in Madhya Pradesh and one at Sivaganga in Tamil Nadu and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the constraints that the Government is facing to set up a Turmeric Board at Nizamabad?

## ANSWER

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THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)

- (a) to (c): No, Sir.  Spices Board, a statutory autonomous body, set up under the Spices Board Act,1986 is entrusted with the responsibility of promoting 52 spices including turmeric, coriander and chilies.  There is, therefore, no proposal under consideration to establish a Turmeric Board or any other spice specific Board in the country.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4786 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-29
Subject: High Speed Rail Network under National Rail Plan
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Midhun Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4786 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.03.2023

## HIGH SPEED RAIL NETWORK UNDER NATIONAL RAIL PLAN

4786. SHRI P.V. MIDHUN REDDY:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is true that the Government proposes to add four new bullet train corridors that will connect nine more cities to the High Speed Rail (HSR) network under the National Rail Plan;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether it is true that the Government has undertaken a survey and prepared detailed project reports for the same;
- (d) if so, the reasons as to why none of these corridors are proposed
- to fall within the State of Andhra Pradesh;
- (e)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  set  up  HSR  corridors between Visakhapatnam - Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam - Chennai; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND

ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a)  to  (f):  Presently,  Mumbai-Ahmedabad  High  Speed  Rail  (MAHSR) Project  is  the  only  sanctioned  project  of  High  Speed  Rail  in  India which  is  under  execution  with  technical  and  financial  assistance from Government of Japan.

Further,  the  Ministry  of  Railways  has  undertaken  the  work  for  the survey/Detailed  Project  Report  (DPR)  for  the  following  seven  High Speed Rail (HSR) Corridor/Project:

- i.    Delhi - Varanasi
- ii.   Delhi - Ahmedabad
- iii.  Delhi - Amritsar

- iv.   Mumbai - Nagpur
- v.    Mumbai - Pune - Hyderabad
- vi.   Chennai - Bangalore - Mysore
- vii.  Varanasi - Howrah

None  of  the  above  corridor  is  sanctioned  as  yet.  High  Speed  Rail (HSR) projects are highly capital intensive projects.  The decision to sanction any HSR corridor/project depends on many factors such as outcome of DPR, techno-economic feasibility, availability of resources and financing options.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4785 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-29
Subject: Contractual Appointments
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Sangeeta Azad

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4785

TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.03.2023

## CONTRACTUAL APPOINTMENTS

## 4785  SHRIMATI SANGEETA AZAD:

## Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  number  of  persons  recruited  through  Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) has been declining in the recent years and if so, the details thereof during the last three years;
- (b) whether  the  number  of  contractual  appointments  is  steadily increasing in the Railways, if so, the details thereof during the last three years;
- (c) whether the Government is aware that the general public has expressed  concern  over  the  privatization  of  Railways  which  is  causing loss of jobs in the direct recruitment of RRBs; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the response of the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a): No, Sir.
- (b): No, Sir.
- (c) & (d): There is no proposal to privatize the Indian Railways. Further, outsourcing of certain services like station cleaning, pay & use toilets, retiring rooms, parking & asset maintenance etc. is being done on need based manner to improve these services.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4784 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-29
Subject: Rare Earth Minerals
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Brijendra Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4784

## ANSWERED ON 29.03.2023

## RARE EARTH MINERALS

4784.  SHRI BRIJENDRA SINGH:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has any plans to reduce its reliance on China for rare earth minerals; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c)  whether  the  Government  plans  to  allow  private  sector  mining  of  rare  earth minerals to diversify its source of production; (d) if so, the details thereof; and

- (e) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF MINES, COAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI)

(a) & (b): No, Sir. India is not reliant on China for rare earth minerals.

(c)  to  (e):  As  per  the  provisions  of  the  Mines  and  Minerals  (Development  & Regulation) Act, 1957, private sector is allowed in mining of rare earth minerals not containing uranium and thorium. Further, as per Atomic Mineral Concession Rules, 2016, companies other than Government companies are also allowed in   mining of Rare Earth Minerals containing uranium and thorium in cases where the U3O8 and ThO2 content in the ore are less than 60 ppm and 250 ppm respectively.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4781 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-29
Subject: 5G Spectrum
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: T.R.V.S. Ramesh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4781 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29 TH  MARCH, 2023

## 5G SPECTRUM

## 4781. SHRI T.R.V.S. RAMESH:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to introduce 5G spectrum mobile broadband in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the bidders of 4G have proven their eligibility to provide satisfactory services to the nation and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether it is a fact that first world countries have disapproved 5G spectrum services due to security reasons; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof including the problems of security breach and the plan details of the Government?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS (SHRI DEVUSINH CHAUHAN)

- (a) 5G mobile broadband services have already been started in 500 cities distributed across all Licensed Service Areas (LSAs).
- (b) Four Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) viz. Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited, Bharti Airtel Limited,  Reliance  Jio  Infocomm  Limited  and  Vodafone  Idea  Limited  are  providing  4G  services satisfactorily in the country.
- (c) No such information has come to the notice of the Government.
- (d) Does not arise in view of (c) above.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4778 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-29
Subject: Sugar Production
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Rattan Lal Kataria

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4778 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29TH MARCH, 2023

## SUGAR PRODUCTION

## t4778. SHRI RATTAN LAL KATARIA:

Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND

PUBLIC

- (a) whether 5000 Iakh metric tonnes of sugar has been produced in the country during the year 2021-22 and if the details thereof;
- (b) whether India has emerged as the largest sugar producing and consuming country as well as the second largest exporter after Brazil; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SADHVI NIRANJAN JYOTI)

(a), (b) & (c): During Sugar Season 2021-22, more than 5000 LMT sugarcane was produced in the country, out of which about 3574 LMT of sugarcane was crushed by sugar mills to produce about 359 LMT of sugar, after diversion of about 36 LMT sugar to ethanol production, against approximately 320 LMT of sugar production of of sugar in the country during Sugar season 2021-22 was around 273 LMT, which was highest in the world. About 110 LMT of sugar was exported during Sugar Season 2021-22. This led to make India the world's largest sugar producing and consuming country as well as the largest exporter of sugar after Brazil: 2nd
Lok Sabha Question No. 4777 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-29
Subject: Release of Postal Stamps
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Ghanshyam Singh Lodhi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF POSTS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4777 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29 TH  MARCH, 2023

## RELEASE OF POSTAL STAMPS

## †4777. SHRI GHANSHYAM SINGH LODHI:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) the names of the Heritage sites of Uttar Pradesh on which Postal stamps have been released;
- (b) whether there is any proposal to release postal stamps on Raja Library and Rampur Fort;
- (c) if so, the details thereof along with the time by which it is likely to be released;
- (d) whether the common man is allowed to such release of postal stamps, if so, the terms and conditions thereof; and
- (e) whether the Government is getting benefited from it and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS (SHRI DEVUSINH CHAUHAN)

- (a) There are three World Heritage Sites in Uttar Pradesh. Department of Posts has released Postal Stamps in respect of all the three sites:
- i. Taj Mahal on 15.08.1949 and 16.12.2004
- ii. Agra Fort on 28.11.2004 under the theme - 'Aga Khan award for architecture'
- iii. Buland Darwaja, Fatehpur Sikri on 19.10.2019 under the theme - 'Historical Gates of Indian Forts and Monuments'
- (b) & (c) There is no proposal with Department of Posts for release of Postal Stamps on Raja Library and Rampur Fort.
- (d) Any citizen of India can propose and submit his/her proposal for release of Commemorative Postage Stamp on personalities, institutions and events in prescribed proforma to the Department. The  occasion  to  commemorate  may  be  10 th /25 th /50 th /100 th death  anniversary  of  a  personality; 100 th /125 th /150 th anniversary in respect of apex institutions/ organisations and centenary/ 125 th / 150 th anniversary in respect of buildings/monuments of national/international significance etc.
- (e) Postal stamps besides being used as a token of payment for availing postal services, are also collected by students, youth and philatelists promoting India's history, culture and heritage etc.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4775 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-29
Subject: Rail Coach Factory
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Nama Nageswara Rao

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4775 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.03.2023

## RAIL COACH FACTORY

## 4775. SHRI NAMA NAGESWARA RAO:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) Whether the Government has any plan to sanction Railway Coach Factory (RCF) to  Telangana as per the assurance given through The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the timeline by which it is likely to be established?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a) to (c) There is no proposal as such under consideration for setting up  of  a  Rail  Coach  Factory  at  Telangana.  Rail  Coach  Factories  are sanctioned in Indian Railways based on the requirement of the rolling stocks.  Factories  already  sanctioned  are  sufficient  enough  to  meet Indian Railways' requirement of rolling stocks in the near future.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4773 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-29
Subject: Salt Production
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: M. Selvaraj

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT FOR PROMOTION OF INDUSTRY AND INTERNAL TRADE

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4773. TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 29 TH  MARCH, 2023.

## SALT PRODUCTION

## 4773.  SHRI M. SELVARAJ:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY be pleased to state:

## वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री

- (a) the details of salt produced in Vedaranyum, Tamil Nadu during the last three years;
- (b) whether  the  Government  has  any  plan  to  establish  a  chemical  industry  in Vedaranyum to help and improve the salt business capacity;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्रालय में राज्य मंत्री ( श्री सोम प्रकाश ) THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (SHRI SOM PARKASH)

- (a): The details of salt produced in Vedaranyum, Tamil Nadu during the last three  years is as under;
- (b): No sir.
- (c): Doesn't arise.
- (d): After de-licensing and deregulation of the Industry sector, now the focus of Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade under the Ministry of  Commerce  and  Industry  is  on  provided  an  enabling  environment  for promotion & facilitation of Industry.

| Year    |   Salt Produced (In Metric Ton) |
|---------|---------------------------------|
| 2019-20 |                          339091 |
| 2020-21 |                          413726 |
| 2021-22 |                          314227 |

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Lok Sabha Question No. 4771 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-29
Subject: Layoffs by Multi National Companies
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Abhishek Banerjee

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS  AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.  4771

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 29.03.2023

## LAYOFFS BY MULTI NATIONAL COMPANIES

## 4771.       SHRI ABHISHEK BANERJEE:

Will the Minister of ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that the U.S. Multi National companies including tech giants Amazon, Meta, Intel, Twitter and financial behemoths like Citi and Morgan Stanley have announced massive layoffs;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether it is also a fact that according to a global placement and coaching firm the layoffs crossed 60,000 in September and October,2022;
- (d) if so, the details of the impact it has made on India's export prospects, especially in the Information Technology (IT) sector; and
- (e) the details of the steps taken by the Government to deal with this issue?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI RAJEEV CHANDRASEKHAR)

- (a) and (b): Employment  including lay-offs is a regular phenomenon  in industrial establishments. As per National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM), the Indian IT industry continues to be a net hirer, having added around 2.9 lakh jobs during the FY 2022-23.
- (c): No such data available with Ministry of Electronics & IT.
- (d):  As  per  NASSCOM,  the  adjustments  and  corrections  are  part  of  the  business  demand cycles in the industry. As per Economic Survey 2023, exports in FY 22 (including hardware) witnessed a growth of 17.2 per cent compared to 1.9 per cent growth in FY21.
- (e): Does not arise.

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