opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 449 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-22
Subject: Scheduled Caste Sub Plan in Punjab
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Shri Charanjit Singh Channi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.449 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.07.2025

## SCHEDULED CASTE SUB PLAN IN PUNJAB

## 449. SHRI CHARANJIT SINGH CHANNI:

## Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the budgetary allocation under the Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCSP) has been increased in the current financial year; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the status of fund utilisation under SCSP in Punjab along with major schemes or sectors whether these funds have been allocated during the last three financial years?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI RAMDAS ATHAWALE)

- (a): Yes, under the erstwhile Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCSP) now Development Action Plan for Scheduled Castes (DAPSC) the outlay has increased to Rs.1,68,475.26 crore in the current financial year as compared to earlier years.
- (b): The status of fund utilisation under DAPS including of Punjab along with major schemes or sectors where these funds allocated during the last three financial years, is available at https://e-utthaan.gov.in and is periodically updated by the concerned DAPSC obligated Ministries/Departments on e-Utthaan portal.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 444 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-22
Subject: Enhancing Infrastructure and Production Capabilities
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Shri Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer

## ENHANCING INFRASTRUCTURE AND PRODUCTION CAPABILITIES

## 444. SHRI GURMEET SINGH MEET HAYER:

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

(a)  the  details  of  measures  in  the  Government  to  support  Indian textile manufacturers in building  and promoting their brands on the international stage;

(b) the manner in which the Government plan to enhance infrastructure and production capabilities to meet global standards and demand; and

(c)  the  strategies  that  are  in  place  to  provide  export  incentives  and  facilitate  market  access  for  Indian textile brands in key international markets?

## उत्तर

## ANSWER

## वस्त्र मंत्री ( श्री गिररराज स ंह )

## MINISTER OF TEXTILES (SHRI GIRIRAJ SINGH)

(a)  &  (c): Government  provides  financial  support  to  various  Export  Promotion  Councils  and  Trade Bodies engaged in promotion of textiles and garments exports, for organising and participating in trade fairs, exhibitions, buyer-seller meets etc. at national and international levels.

Ministry has supported Export Promotion Councils/Associations in organizing a Global Mega Textile Event i.e. Bharat TEX 2025 to showcase the strength of the Indian textiles value chain, highlighting the latest  progress/  innovations  in  textile  &  fashion  Industry  and  positioning  India  as  the  most  preferred destination for sourcing and investment in textile sector.

Government is also implementing Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies (RoSCTL) scheme for Apparel/Garments and Made-ups in order to enhance competitiveness by adopting principle of zero-rated exports. Further, textiles products not covered under the RoSCTL scheme are covered under Remissions of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) along with other products.

(b): The  Government is implementing various schemes/initiatives to promote Indian textiles sector and  enhance  its  competitiveness.  The  major  schemes/initiatives  include  PM  Mega  Integrated  Textile Regions and Apparel (PM MITRA) Parks Scheme to create a modern, integrated, world class plug and play textile infrastructure; Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme focusing on MMF Fabric, MMF Apparel  and  Technical  Textiles  to  boost  large  scale  manufacturing  and  enhancing  competitiveness; National Technical Textiles Mission focusing on Research Innovation & Development, Promotion and Market Development; SAMARTH - Scheme for Capacity Building in Textile Sector with the objective of  providing  demand  driven,  placement  oriented,  skilling  program. Additionally,  Handicraft  and Handloom  sector  are  extended  direct  support  under  National  Handicraft/Handloom  Development program.
Lok Sabha Question No. 442 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-22
Subject: Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Shri Anil Yeshwant Desai

:

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.442 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.07.2025

## PROHIBITION OF EMPLOYMENT AS MANUAL SCAVENGERS

## 442. SHRI ANIL YESHWANT DESAI:

## Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that there is the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 in the country to abolish the practice of manual scavenging;
- (b) whether these provisions are scrupulously observed by all the states;
- (c) whether there are any violations by any States, if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether there is any spot in any state where removal of human waste by hands is still in practice, if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the details of the modern techniques are being used in our country to collect and disposal of human waste?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI RAMDAS ATHAWALE)

- (a): Parliament enacted the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 (MS Act, 2013) to abolish the practice of manual scavenging in the country.
- (b): Provisions of the MS Act, 2013 are to be observed by States.
- (c): No report of violation has been received from any State.
- (d): As per the provision of "Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 (MS Act, 2013)" manual scavenging is a banned activity in the country with effect from 6.12.2013. No person or agency can engage or employ any person for manual scavenging from the above date. Any person or agency who engages any person for manual scavenging in violation of the provisions of the MS Act, 2013 is punishable under Section 8 of the above Act, with imprisonment upto 2 years or fine upto Rs. One Lakh or both.

No report of the practice of manual scavenging has been received from States/UT.

(e): Swachh Bharat Mission - Urban (SBM-U) 2.0 launched on 1st, October, 2021 includes a component i.e. Used Water management (UWM) whose one of the objective is the eradication of hazardous entry into sewers and septic tanks, and total elimination of manual scavenging and promotion of mechanization of sewer and septic tank cleaning operations, for which Central share funds for Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) with population less than 1 lakh are released for procuring adequate numbers of septic tank desludging equipments.

Under UWM component of SBM-U 2.0, central share funds of Rs. 358.26 crores have been approved so far for procurement of 317 desluging vehicles, 1617 CESS pool tankers and 517 other cleaning equipments.

Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has issued SOP containing procedures to be followed during mechanical and manual cleaning of sewers and emptying of septic tanks along with training module for Sanitary workers on Cleaning of Sewers and Septic Tanks.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 441 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-22
Subject: Census 2027
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Eatala Rajender, Smt. D K Aruna, Shri Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 441

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 22 ND  JULY, 2025/ ASHADHA 13, 1947 (SAKA)

CENSUS 2027

441.  SHRI CHAMALA KIRAN KUMAR REDDY: SMT. D K ARUNA: SHRI EATALA RAJENDER:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the preparations for Census 2027 held with the inauguration of  a  two-day  conference  of  Directors  of  Census  Operations  (DCO)  from across the country; and

(b) if so, the details thereof and outcome of such conference and census work  done  so  far  and  funds  sanctioned  and  spent  for  this  purpose  and future action plan worked out, State-wise?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI NITYANAND RAI)

(a) & (b): The preparation for Census 2027 has started with the publication of  gazette  notification  dated  16.06.2025  expressing  the  intent  of  the Government  to  conduct  Population  Census.  In  this  regard,  a  two-day conference  was  held  on  3 rd   and  4 th   July,  2025  in  New  Delhi.  This conference  was  attended  by  Directors  of  Census  Operations,  senior officers from Directorates of Census Operations and officers from Office of Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India.

## L.S.US.Q.NO. 441 FOR 22.07.2025

The  conference  featured  discussion  on  the  roadmap  of  ensuing Census  and  its related activities such  as finalization of frame of administrative units, collection of data through mobile apps, management and  monitoring  of  census  activities  through  Census  Management  and Monitoring  System  (CMMS)  portal,  self-enumeration,  training  of  census functionaries, etc.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 440 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-22
Subject: Establishment of Metal Scrapping Centres
Ministry: STEEL
Asked by: Dr. Kirsan Namdeo

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF STEEL

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 440 FOR ANSWER ON 22.07.2025

## ESTABLISHMENT OF METAL SCRAPPING CENTRES

440. DR. KIRSAN NAMDEO:

Will the Minister of STEEL be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  any  measures  have  been  taken  by  the  Government  to  facilitate  and  promote establishment  of  metal  scrapping  centres  in  Maharashtra  for  scientific  processing  and recycling;

- (b) if so, the details thereof, State and district-wise particularly in Maharashtra; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE          (SHRI BHUPATHIRAJU SRINIVASA VARMA) MINISTRY OF STEEL

(a)to(c): The  measures  taken  by the Government  to facilitate and  promote establishment  of  metal  scrapping  centres,  including  Maharashtra,  in  India  are  as under: -

- i.  The Steel Scrap Recycling Policy, 2019 provides a coordination framework with various Ministries to facilitate and promote recycling of ferrous scrap generated from various sources.
- ii.  The  Ministry  of  Road  Transport  and  Highways  (MoRTH)  has  formulated  the Vehicle  Scrapping Policy  that  includes  a  system of  incentives/disincentives  for creation of an ecosystem to phase out older, unfit polluting vehicles. Under the policy,  MoRTH  has  issued  rules  for  Registration  and  Functions  of  Vehicle Scrapping  Facility  (RVSF),  which  provides  the  procedures  and  infrastructure facilities required for de-pollution and dismantling of End-of-Life Vehicles (ELVs) for further recovery of metal and other materials under environmental regulations. The details of RVSFs in the country including state of Maharashtra is available at URL https://vscrap.parivahan.gov.in/vehiclescrap/vahan/rvsfdetails.xhtml.
- iii. The  Government  of  India  has  notified  the  Hazardous  and  Other  Wastes (Management  and  Transboundary  Movement)  Rules,  2016  to  ensure  safe handling, storage, recycling, utilisation, treatment and disposal of hazardous and other wastes in an environmentally safe manner.

- iv. Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change has introduced the Environment Protection (End-of-Life Vehicles) Rules, 2025, which establishes a framework for managing End-of-Life Vehicles (ELVs) in an environmentally sound manner and mandates Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), requiring vehicle producers to  meet  annual  scrapping  targets  based  on  the  type  of  vehicle  and materials recovered.
- v. Recycling of Ships Act, 2019 has been notified by Ministry of Shipping, Ports and Waterways with aims to regulate and promote the safe and environmentally sound recycling of ships.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 439 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-22
Subject: Committee for legal guarantee on MSP
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Bapi Haldar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 439

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 22 ND  JULY, 2025

## COMMITTEE FOR LEGAL GUARANTEE ON MSP

## 439. SHRI BAPI HALDAR:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण मंũी be pleased to state:-

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  fixed  any  time  limit  for  submission  of  report  by  the committee constituted for providing legal guarantee to Minimum Support Price (MSP) for agricultural produces;

(b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; (c)  whether the Government is planning to bring legislation to ensure legal guarantee of

- MSP to farmers of the country; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण राǛ मंũी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)

(a) to (d):  The Government constituted a Committee in July, 2022 vide notification dated 18-07-2022 which consists of representatives of farmers, Central Government, adequate representation of State Governments, eminent Agriculture Economists & Scientists etc with the mandate to make Minimum Support Price (MSP) more effective and transparent; to promote natural farming and to change crop pattern keeping in mind the changing needs of the country. Since its inception, the committee is holding regular meetings to deliberate on these key issues and develop actionable recommendations.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 434 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-22
Subject: India UK Free Trade Agreement
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Shri Balashowry Vallabhaneni

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 434 ANSWERED ON 22.07.2025

## INDIA UK FREE TRADE AGREEMENT

434.  SHRI BALASHOWRY VALLABHANENI:

Will  the  Minister  of COMMERCE & INDUSTRY ( वाणिज्य और उद्योग मंत्री ) be pleased to state:

- a. whether India and UK entered into Free Trade Agreement;
- b. if so, the details thereof along with the salient features of the FTA;
- c. the  reasons  that  the  Government  has  not  yet  put  the  FTA  in  the  public domain;
- d. the  final  outcome  in  the  FTA  with  regard  to  Carbon  Border  Adjustment Mechanism;
- e. the time by which the FTA will come into force;
- f. the manner in which India-UK FTA is different from UK-Australia and UK-New Zealand FTAs; and
- g. whether  India-US  Free  Trade  Agreement  has  been  signed  and,  if  so,  the details thereof along with the salient features of the FTA?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

वाणिज्य और उद्योग मंत्रालय में राज्य मंत्री ( श्री णिणिन प्रसाद ) (SHRI JITIN PRASADA)

- a & b: The  Prime  Ministers  of  India  and  UK  have  announced  the  successful conclusion of India-UK FTA negotiations on 6 th  May 2025. The FTA with the UK is a modern,  comprehensive  and  landmark  agreement  which  seeks  to  achieve  deep economic integration along with trade liberalisation and tariff concessions. The FTA ensures comprehensive market access for goods, across all sectors, covering all of India's  export  interests.  The  FTA  seeks  to  promote  good  regulatory  practices  and enhance transparency that are in sync with India's own focus on domestic reforms to enhance the ease of doing business.
- c: As per standard practice, the FTA documents are put in public domain after formal signing of the agreement.
- d: The government of India takes care of all the sensitivities associated with the FTA and ensures that India's interests are protected.
- e: The FTA comes into force after signing and ratification by both the countries.
- f: Every FTA is unique and is based on specific dynamics of trade and is aimed at maximizing benefits for both nations.
- g: India and US are negotiating a Bilateral Trade Agreement which has not been signed as yet.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 433 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-22
Subject: Geospatial Mapping of Land Parcels
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Shri Ramvir Singh Bidhuri

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF LAND RESOURCES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 433 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.07.2025

## Geospatial Mapping of Land Parcels

## †433. Shri Ramvir Singh Bidhuri:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken any steps to simplify the identification of land parcels using geospatial mapping and other technologies;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether it is also being used in the villages of Delhi and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (DR. CHANDRA SEKHAR PEMMASANI)

(a) to (c) The  Department  of  Land  Resources  is  implementing Digital  India  Land  Records Modernization  Programme  (DILRMP),  a  Central  Sector  Scheme  with  effect  from  01.04.2016 with  100%  funding  from  Government  of  India.  One  of  the  activities  under  DILRMP  is digitization of Cadastral Maps wherein existing Cadastral Maps are converted into GIS-encoded digital  mode  to  facilitate  updation  of  Cadastral  Maps  in  sync  with  the  changes  made  in  the Record of Rights (RORs). Further, the Department has developed a software application known as Unique Land Parcel Identification Number (ULPIN) or Bhu-Aadhar for assigning Unique IDs to the land parcels by the States/UTs. ULPIN or Bhu-Aadhar is a 14 digit Aplha-numeric code based on Geo-coordinates of vertices of each land parcel. So far, NCT of Delhi has not generated any ULPIN or Bhu-Aadhar as per DILRMP MIS.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 425 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-22
Subject: Gram Panchayat and Panchayat Samiti Delimitation
Ministry: PANCHAYATI RAJ
Asked by: Shri Rahul Kaswan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PANCHAYATI RAJ

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 425

ANSWERED ON- 22.07.2025

## GRAMPANCHAYATAND PANCHAYATSAMITI DELIMITATION

## 425. SHRI RAHUL KASWAN:

Will the Minister of PANCHAYATI RAJ be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that Rajasthan missed the deadline June 4, 2025 for finalising Gram Panchayat and Panchayat Samiti Delimitation, with over 3,000 proposals, due to political interference;

(b) if so, the reasons for these delays;

(c) the manner in which the Government proposes to complete the delimitation to facilitate Panchayat elections and support 'One State, One Election';

(d) whether legal interventions, such as from the Rajasthan High Court, have influenced the process;

(e) whether corrective timelines or coordination mechanisms are being set up; and

(f) if so, the detailed roadmap and expected completion date?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PANCHAYATI RAJ

## (PROF. S. P. SINGH BAGHEL)

(a) to (f) 'Panchayat', being 'Local Government', is a State subject and part of State List of Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India. Panchayats are set up and operate through the respective State Panchayati Raj Acts which may vary from State to State, subject to the provisions of the Constitution. Article 243C(1) of the Constitution empowers the Legislature of a State to make provisions with respect to the composition of Panchayats provided that the ratio between the population of the territorial area of a Panchayat at any level and the number of seats in such Panchayat to be filled by election shall, so far as practicable, be the same throughout the State. Accordingly, all matters relating to Panchayats, including delimitation of Panchayats, fall within the purview of the State Government concerned.

The Government of Rajasthan has informed that the date for finalization of the proposal for reorganisation/delimitation of the Panchayati Raj Institutions at the State Level was fixed from 21.05.2025 to 04.06.2025 but at present, it is under process as large number of proposals for reorganisation/delimitations of Panchayati Raj Institutions are being received from the District Collectors and it is taking a lot of time to examine them. As per State

Government, this work of finalizing the proposals is expected to be completed by 15th August, 2025.

The State Government has also informed that it has declared in budget for exploration of 'One State, One Election' which has nothing to do with reorganisation/delimitation.

Further, the State Government has informed that total 250 Writ Petitions filed in Jodhpur and Jaipur Bench of Hon'ble High Court of Rajasthan, till date, wherein the Hon'ble Court has directed only to follow the directions issued by the Panchayati Raj Department of Rajasthan.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 414 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-22
Subject: Discussion with EU, UK and US for Free Trade Agreement
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Dr. Thirumaavalavan Tholkappiyan

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 414

ANSWERED ON 22.07.2025`

## Discussion with EU, UK and US for Free Trade Agreement

## 414.   DR. THIRUMAAVALAVAN THOLKAPPIYAN:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY ( वाणिज्य और उद्योग मंत्री ) be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  had  any  discussion  with  the  European  Union  (EU), United  Kingdom  (UK)  and  United  States  of America  (USA)  relating  to  Free  Trade Agreement;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether any agreement reached with any of these countries; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof along with the quantum of benefit reaped or expected to be reaped by India?

## ANSWER

## वाणिज्य और उद्योग मंत्रालय में राज्य मंत्री ( श्री जिजिन प्रसाद ) THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (SHRI JITIN PRASADA)

- (a) to (d) : India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations have been successfully concluded in May 2025. Negotiations for the FTA with the EU and Bilateral Trade Agreement with the USA are ongoing.

The  India-UK  Free  Trade Agreement  is  a  modern  and  comprehensive  agreement aimed at deep economic integration through trade liberalization and tariff concessions. More than 99% of Indian exports are expected to benefit from tariff liberalization under the FTA including improved export opportunities in labour-intensive sectors such as textiles, leather, gems and jewellery, engineering goods, auto parts, and chemicals. The  FTA  will  also  support  services  exports  due  to   commitments  across  trade  in services  such  as  IT/ITeS,  financial  services,  professional  services,  other  business services  and  educational  services.   This  Agreement  will  benefit  Indian  farmers, fishermen, workers, MSMEs, startups and innovators.

India-European Union (EU) Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations commenced in June 2022. Twelve rounds of negotiations have been held till recently, the last being from 7-11 July, 2025 at Brussels.

India US bilateral Trade Agreement negotiations were launched in March 2025. Five rounds  of  negotiations  have  been  held,  the  last  being  from  July  14-18th  2025  at Washington.

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