opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 5409 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-03
Subject: Removal of Trees to Strengthen and Develop Mullaperiyar's Baby Dam
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Thiru Thanga Tamilselvan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI

## DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5409

ANSWERED ON 03.04.2025

## REMOVAL OF TREES TO STRENGTHEN AND DEVELOP MULLAPERIYAR's BABY DAM

## 5409. THIRU THANGA TAMILSELVAN

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  the  fact  that  the  presence  of  around  27  huge  trees  standing  on Mullaperiyar's baby dam which is 240 feet long and 8 feet wide, built parallel to the main dam, are meant to abolish all the excess water goes up in the main dam;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government would take necessary steps to get necessary permission from the Forest Department to fell down these 27 huge trees to strengthen and develop the said baby dam; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI

## ( SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY )

(a) to (d) Mullaperiyar dam consists of Main dam, Natural mound, Baby dam and Earth dam in one alignment. Baby dam is not parallel to Main dam. The height of the Baby dam is 53 feet and width is 38 feet at bottom and 12 feet at the top and length is 240 feet. Baby dam and Earth dam are in the left flank and the spillway is in the right flank, which is meant for discharging the excess water above the allowable storage level. Baby dam is for storing water in the reservoir. In the downstream of the Baby dam, there are no huge trees, only 15 medium and small  trees  exist,  as  corroborated  by  the  Supervisory  Committee  for  the  Mullaperiyar  Dam  in  its  various communications as well as the affidavit filed by the Supervisory Committee in respect of Writ Petition No. 880 of 2020 in the Hon'ble Supreme Court on 04.07.2023.

Strengthening the Baby dam and Earth dam was ordered in the Interim Order of the Hon'ble Supreme Court  dated  27.02.2006  and  the  same  was  also  reiterated  in  the  Judgement  dated  07.05.2014  of  the  Hon'ble Supreme Court.

However,  the  strengthening  works  of  the  baby  dam  &  earthen  dam  could  not  be  taken-up,  as  the permission order for the felling of trees downstream of the baby dam, granted earlier by Government of Kerala was revoked.

Government of Tamil Nadu had applied in PARIVESH 1.0 portal for granting permission to fell the trees downstream of baby dam in year 2015; and, the permission was granted in 2021. However, the permission was revoked  within  few  days.  Government  of  Kerala  has  requested  Government  of  Tamil  Nadu  to  apply  for  the permission afresh on PARIVESH 2.0 portal of Ministry of Environment Forest & Climate Change.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 5404 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-03
Subject: Cancelling the Lease of Delhi Golf Club
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Matheswaran V S

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARED QUESTION NO.5404

TO BE ANSWERED ON APRIL 03, 2025

## CANCELLING THE LEASE OF DELHI GOLF CLUB

## NO. 5404.    SHRI MATHESWARAN V S:

Will  the  Minister  of  HOUSING  AND  URBAN  AFFAIRS  be  pleased  to state:

- (a) the  rationale  for  granting  temporary  lease  to  Delhi  Golf  Club  until 2050 in 2012;
- (b) whether the Government is contemplating the cancellation of temporary lease of Delhi Golf Club as a large portion of the land is leased  out  at  nominal  rate  without  having  public  interest  and  not serving the poor people; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS (SHRI TOKHAN SAHU)

- (a) The Delhi Golf Club was established as a municipal course in the early 1930s and was earlier known as Lodhi Golf Club. The lease of the land allotted earlier has been extended from time to time. The last lease extension was done on 19 th  July, 2012 on the request of the  Delhi  Golf  Club,  till  the  year  2050.This  extension  was  done taking  into  consideration  the  request  of  The  Delhi  Golf  Club  for bringing the club to international standards, since golf would be a part of Olympic games from 2016. For upgrading the infrastructure for  this  purpose,  The  Delhi  Golf  Club  had  requested  for  a  lease extension  till  2070,  for  long  term  planning.  The  Delhi  Golf  Club's lease was expiring in 2020, hence in order to meet this requirement,  the  Government  approved  lease  extension  only  till 2050.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 5398 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-03
Subject: Safety Clearance for Ground Handlers at Airport
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Shri V K Sreekandan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION Lok Sabha

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 5398

( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  3rd April 2025 )

## SAFETY CLEARANCE FOR GROUND HANDLERS AT AIRPORT

5398.    SHRI V K SREEKANDAN Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether it is a fact that ground handlers at airports are required to  obtain  safety  clearance  from  the  Directorate  General  of  Civil Aviation (DGCA) and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether  it  is  also  a  fact  that  the  Government  has  framed  new rules  prescribing  the  framework  for  safe  operations  by  service providers and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether it is also true that the DGCA has held discussions with stakeholders in this regard; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL  AVIATION (Shri Murlidhar Mohol)

- (a)  to  (d):  Yes,  Ground  Handling  Service  Provider  (GHSP)  at  Indian Airports are required to obtain Safety Clearance from DGCA.;

;

DGCA  has  published  Civil  Aviation  Requirement  (CAR)  Section  4 Series  X  Part  II,  which  prescribe  framework  for  issue  of  Safety Clearance to Ground Handling Service Provider (GHSP).;

;

These  requirements  covers  Operational  procedures,  availability  of adequate and competent manpower, training requirements, maintenance  of  Ground  support  Equipment's  (GSE's),  Reporting  of ground Incidents/Accidents and Safety Management systems etc.; ; DGCA invited comments of stakeholder's and general public on the Draft requirements by placing it on website on 15.03.2024. ; The comments received from stakeholders were reviewed followed by  a  meeting  with  all  the  ground  handling  service  providers  and other stakeholder, conducted on 29.05.2024. ; Based on the comments and discussions, the final requirements in the form of CAR i.e. CAR Section 4 Series X part II was published at DGCA website on 08.07.2024.; ******
Lok Sabha Question No. 5397 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-03
Subject: Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
Asked by: Dr. Ricky Andrew J Syngkon

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5397 TO BE ANSWERED ON APRIL 03, 2025

## SPECIAL ASSISTANCE TO STATES FOR CAPITAL INVESTMENT NO. 5397.      DR. RICKY ANDREW J SYNGKON:

Will the Minister of HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the  status  and  implementation  of  the  Scheme  for  Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment 2023-2024, Part III (only for North-Eastern/ predominantly hilly States) in Meghalaya under the components like augmentation of human resources for strengthening the urban planning ecosystem, risk-informed master planning and modernization of building bye-laws, promoting  affordable  housing  and  in-situ  slum  rehabilitation, promotion of ease of transit in cities and strengthening natural ecosystems of urban areas through urban planning and acquiring land for roads using urban planning tools;
- (b)    the details of the funds sanctioned and released to Meghalaya under the said scheme, component-wise; and
- (c)    the projects submitted and undertaken under the said scheme in Meghalaya, component-wise?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS

## (SHRI TOKHAN SAHU)

- (a) to (c): The Government of India has implemented the Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment Scheme (SSASCI)Part-III (Urban Planning Reforms) 2023-24, aimed at leveraging urban planning  as  a  key  driver  of  development.  The  State  of  Meghalaya submitted  following  urban  reform  measures  under  SSASCI-Part-III 2023-24:

Under  the  component  'Augmentation  of  Human  Resource  for Strengthening Urban Planning Ecosystem', 4 planners hired on contract by the State.

Under  the  component  'Risk  Informed  Master  Plans',  Draft  Risk Informed Master Plans for Shillong and Tura towns was prepared by earmarking of vulnerable areas/ disaster  prone  areas.  Draft  Building Bye-Laws  (BBL)  and  guidelines  for  Draft  Master  Plans  was  also formulated, specifying areas where construction is either permitted or restricted based on slope gradients.

Under  the  reform  component  'Modernization  of  Building  Bye Laws', separate draft BBL for Hilly and Valley areas was formulated.

Under the reform component 'Promotion of Ease of Transit', an agency was hired to prepare the Common Mobility Plans for the towns of  Shillong  and  Tura.  Draft  Mobility  Policy  was  prepared  with  the provisions of  public  parking,  creating  zero  emission  zone/  NonMotorized  Transport  (NMT)  areas,  creating  pedestrian  streets.  A pedestrian street identified in Shillong Master Plan.

During the year 2023-24, an amount of ₹ 98.49 cr. released to the State of Meghalaya under SSASCI 2023-24 - Part - III (Urban Planning Reforms).

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Lok Sabha Question No. 5389 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-03
Subject: Establishment of Van Dhan Kendras under VDVY
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Krishna Prasad Tenneti

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 5389

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 03.04.2025

## ESTABLISHMENT OF VAN DHAN KENDRAS UNDER VDVY

5389. SHRI KRISHNA PRASAD TENNETI :

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the total number of Van Dhan Kendras established under the Van Dhan Vikas Yojana (VDVY) across the country, State-wise;
- (b) the details of the total number of tribal beneficiaries associated with these Kendras;
- (c) the details of the types of Minor Forest Produce (MFP) processed and marketed through the Kendras;
- (d) the details of revenue generated by tribal communities through VDVY since its inception; and
- (e) the details of training and capacity-building initiatives undertaken to support tribal entrepreneurs under this scheme?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE  FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SHRI DURGADAS UIKEY)

- (a)  to  (e) Under  the  schemes  of  'Pradhan  Mantri  Janjatiya  Vikas  Mission  (PMJVM)'  and  Pradhan  Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN), the Ministry of Tribal Affairs provides funds for setting up Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs) which are primarily clusters of tribal SHGs formed to reap economies of scale through value addition and marketing of MFPs / non-MFPs. A maximum amount of Rs 15.00 lakhs is provided to State Governments on receipt of proposals from them to set up a VDVK for value addition activities including training and capacity building. Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation (TRIFED) is the central nodal agency to implement the scheme.  As on 28.02.2025, TRIFED has sanctioned an amount of Rs.  60,932.30  lakhs  for  establishment  of  4,465  Van  Dhan  Vikas  Kendras  (VDVKs)  under  PMJVM  and  PM JANMAN schemes. State-wise details may be accessed from link given below:

https://trifed.tribal.gov.in/sites/default/files/202503/Details%20of%20%20PMJVM%20Van%20Dhan%20Vikas%20Kendras.pdf

These VDVKs have realized a sale of approximately Rs 109 crores till date.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 5387 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-03
Subject: Affordable Rental Housing Complexes Scheme for Dhanbad and Bokaro
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Dulu Mahato

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5387

## TO BE ANSWERED ON APRIL 03, 2025

## AFFORDABLE RENTAL HOUSING COMPLEXES SCHEME FOR

## DHANBAD AND BOKARO

- NO. 5387.    SHRI DULU MAHATO: state:
- (a) whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  Dhanbad  and  Bokaro  are major hubs of the industrial sector;
- (b) if  so,  whether the Government has initiated the Affordable Rental Housing  Complexes  (ARHCs),  a  sub-scheme  under  the  Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana - Urban (PMAY-U), to provide ease of living to urban migrants and the poor in the said hubs; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor along with the time by which it is likely to be implemented?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS (SHRI TOKHAN SAHU)

- (a)
- : Yes. Dhanbad and Bokaro are major industrial hubs of Jharkhand.
- (b) &  (C):  Ministry  of  Housing  and  Urban  Affairs  (MoHUA)  launched Affordable  Rental  Housing  Complexes  (ARHCs)  in  2020  as  a  subscheme  of  Pradhan  Mantri  Awas  Yojana  -  Urban  (PMAY-U)  to provide dignified living to urban migrants/poor near their workplace. This scheme is implemented through two models:
- i. Model-1:  Utilizing  existing  Government  funded  vacant  houses constructed under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal  Mission  (JNNURM)  and  Rajiv  Awas  Yojana  (RAY)  to convert into ARHCs through Public Private Partnership (PPP) or by Public Agencies,

- ii. Model-2:  Construction,  Operation  &  Maintenance  of  ARHCs  by Public/Private Entities on their own available vacant land.

Beneficiaries  of  ARHCs  are  urban  migrants/poor  from  Economically Weaker Section (EWS)/Low Income Group (LIG).

MoHUA  has  not  received  any  project  proposal  for  construction  of ARHCs from the State of Jharkhand.

Further,  based  on  the  learning  from  the  experiences  of  9  years implementation  of  PMAY-U,  MoHUA  has  revamped  the  scheme  and launched  PMAY-U  2.0  'Housing  for  All'  Mission  with  effect  from 01.09.2024  for  implementation  in  urban  areas  across  the  country  to construct,  purchase  and  rent  a  house  by  1  crore  additional  eligible beneficiaries at affordable cost through four verticals i.e., Beneficiary Led  Construction  (BLC),  Affordable  Housing  in  Partnership  (AHP), Affordable  Rental  Housing  (ARH)  and  Interest  Subsidy  Scheme  (ISS). ARH vertical of PMAY-U 2.0 is based on learnings of ARHC and aims to construct  rental  housing  projects  for  Economically  Weaker  Section (EWS)/Low Income Group (LIG) beneficiaries including migrant workers and other poor who do not want to own a house but require housing for short  term  basis.  The  scheme  guidelines  of  PMAY-U  2.0  may  be accessed at https://pmay-urban.gov.in/uploads/guidelines/OperationalGuidelines-of-PMAY-U-2.pdf.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 5386 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-03
Subject: Demand of Ethanol 100
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: Shri Sudama Prasad

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 5386

TO BE ANSWERED ON 03 rd  April, 2025

## DEMAND OF ETHANOL 100

## 5386. SHRI SUDAMA PRASAD:

## पेᮝोिलयम और ᮧाकृ ितक गैस मंᮢी

Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  formed  any  inter-ministerial  committee  or  expert  committee  to study  the  dangers  of  food  security  considering  the  push  to  support  farmers  and  ethanol producers in meeting the demand for Ethanol 100 (E100), given that ethanol is often sourced from agricultural products;
- (b)   if so, the details of the recommendations of such committee and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) the list of the private organisations, consultants, individuals, institutions and farmer organisations  to  whom  the  Government  consulted  in  formulating  this  policy,  category-wise; and
- (d)  the manner in which this helps in the larger interest of fuel efficiency and emission reduction in light of the energy density difference between E100 and conventional fuels, as E100 provides lower mileage per unit than petrol?

## ANSWER

पेᮝोिलयम और ᮧाकृ ितक गैस मंᮢालय मᱶ रा᭔य मंᮢी ( ᮰ी सुरेश गोपी )

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS (SHRI SURESH GOPI)

- (a): No .

- (b) to (d):    Does not arise in view of (a) above.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 5385 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-03
Subject: Metro Rail Expansion in Tier-2 and Tier-3 Cities
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Alok Sharma, Shri Bhartruhari Mahtab, Shri P P Chaudhary, Shri Madhavaneni Raghunandan Rao

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5385

TO BE ANSWERED ON APRIL 03, 2025

## METRO RAIL EXPANSION IN TIER-2 AND TIER-3 CITIES

NO. 5385.  SHRI ALOK SHARMA:

SHRI BHARTRUHARI MAHTAB;

SHRI P P CHAUDHARY:

SHRI MADHAVANENI RAGHUNANDAN RAO:

Will  the  Minister  of  HOUSING  AND  URBAN  AFFAIRS  be  pleased  to state:

- (a) the progress made in respect of Metro Rail expansion projects in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to implement any new policies to make  Metro  systems  more  financially  viable  and  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (c) the steps taken/being taken to  integrate metro networks with multimodal transportation systems to improve urban mobility; and
- (d) the progress of the Bhopal Metro Rail Project and the time by which the Metro Rail service is likely to begin in Bhopal?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS

## (SHRI TOKHAN SAHU)

(a)  'Urban  planning'  is  a  State  subject.  Therefore,  the  respective  State Governments are responsible for planning, initiating and developing urban transport  infrastructure  including  integration  amongst  various  modes  of public  transport.  As  per  Metro  Rail  Policy,  2017,  Central  Government considers financial assistance for Metro Rail proposals in cities or urban agglomerates based on the feasibility  of  the  proposal  and  availability  of resources, as and when posed by the concerned State Government. As per Metro Rail Policy, 2017 cities having a population of two million and more may start planning for mass transit systems including metro rail based on the Comprehensive Mobility Plan.

(b) The Metro Rail Policy 2017 also enables innovative financing through Transit Oriented Development (TOD), cultivation of different modes of Non Fare Box and Value Capture Finance (VCF) to ensure financial viability of metro projects.

(c) Central Government has formulated National Urban Transport Policy (NUTP), 2006, Metro Rail Policy, 2017 and Transit Oriented Development Policy,  2017,  which  act  as  a  guide  to  State  Governments  for  integrated planning and implementation of urban transport systems in most sustainable  and  viable  manner.  The  policy  also  envisages  necessarily inclusion  of  feeder  systems,  last  mile  connectivity  through  pedestrian pathways, Non-Motorized Transport (NMT) infrastructure, and induction of facilities for Para transit modes etc. by participating State Government.

(d) The  physical  progress  of  priority  section  of  length  7.2  km  from Subhash  Nagar  to  AIIMS  of  Bhopal  Metro  Rail  Project  is  81.26%  and  is nearing completion.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 5384 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-03
Subject: Mumbai-Goa Highway
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Shri Narayan Tatu Rane

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken cognizance of the ongoing works on the Mumbai-Goa Highway, if so, the reasons for slow progress of the work on this route;
- (b) whether the Government has also taken cognizance of the incomplete  flyover  construction  in  Chiplun,  Lanja  and  Pali,  if  so,  the reasons for the incomplete flyover construction and the steps taken by the Government to expedite the work;
- (c) the  details  of  the  work  completed  on  the  stretch  from  Aravali  to Talekante so far, along with the work lying incompleted;
- (d) the  reasons  for  the  incomplete  work  and  the  timeline  set  for completion of all such pending projects;
- (e) the  reasons  for  the  incomplete  work  on  the  Shastripul-BahwandiSangameshwar-Nivli road; and
- (f) the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  expedite  the  completion  of this work?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

- (a)      The  development  of  Mumbai-Goa  National  Highway  (NH)  -  66  got delayed  due  to  delays  in  land  acquisition  and  other  pre-construction activities as well as cash flow issues with some of the Contractors. All the pending  issues  have  been  substantially  resolved  in  close  co-ordination

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT & HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5384 ANSWERED ON 3 RD  APRIL, 2025

## MUMBAI-GOA HIGHWAY

## †5384. SHRI NARAYAN TATU RANE:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

with the State Government and the balance works are under implementation. (b)      The  construction  of  flyovers  at  Lanja  and  Pali  got  delayed  due  to land acquisition issues while the work of Chiplun Flyover was delayed due to collapse of one span. The land acquisition issues for flyovers at Lanja and Pali have been resolved while the design of the Chiplun flyover was reviewed  after  the  above  incident.  The  construction  of  all  the  three flyovers  is  under  implementation  with  completion  in  phased  manner  by September, 2025. (c) to (f)     Shastripul-Bahwandi-Sangameshwar-Nivli road is part of Aravali to Talekante section of NH-66. The work in this section was delayed due to delays in land acquisition and other pre-construction activities as well as cash flow issues of the Contractor. All the pending issues have been substantially  resolved  in  close  co-ordination  with  the  State  Government and  out  of  total  39.24  km  length  of  this  section,  the  work  in  30.68  km length is completed. The work in balance length is under implementation with completion in phased manner by September, 2025.

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