opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 829 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-04
Subject: Power Production from Nuclear Energy
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: Shri Rajeev Rai

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-829

ANSWERED ON  04.02.2026

## POWER PRODUCTION FROM NUCLEAR ENERGY

## 829. SHRI RAJEEV RAI

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:-

- (a) the details of the current capacity of the power produced using nuclear energy in the country;
- (b) whether the Government has formulated any policy to augment the current nuclear power as a substitute for thermal power and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the  details  of  Government's  plan  to  meet  the  energy  demands  of  the  country  using different energy sources (both renewable and non-renewable) during the next ten years?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Presently,  there  are  24  nuclear  power  plants  (excluding  RAPS-1,  which  is  under extended shutdown) in commercial operation in the country with a total capacity of 8,780 MW.
- (b) At present, the Government has no proposal to augment nuclear power capacity as a substitute  for  thermal  power.  However,  the  Government  has  constituted  a  SubCommittee of the Standing Site Selection Committee, comprising officers from CEA, NPCIL, and AERB, to examine the suitability of existing thermal  power plant sites (which are proposed to be retired) for the establishment of nuclear power plants.
- (c) The peak electricity demand and electrical energy requirement are expected to reach 446  GW  and  3215  BU  respectively  in  2034-35.  To  meet  this  projected  electricity demand, the installed electricity generation capacity required in 2034- 35 will be about 1029 GW, comprising of 327 GW Thermal, 22 GW Nuclear and 679 GW Renewable energy (comprising of 73 GW Large Hydro, 447 GW Solar, 138 GW Wind and 21 GW from biomass and small hydro sources). In addition, the likely installed capacity of Battery  Energy  Storage  Systems  (BESS)  and  Pumped  Storage  Plants  (PSP)  will  be about 99 GW and 62 GW respectively by 2034-35.

In line with Hon'ble Prime Minister's announcement at COP26, Ministry of New and Renewable  Energy  is  working  towards  achieving  500  GW  of  installed  electricity capacity from non-fossil sources by 2030. Also, India has already achieved target of having 50% of its cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuelbased sources during June, 2025 i.e. five years ahead of our global commitment.  The Government of India has taken several steps and initiatives to promote and accelerate renewable energy capacity in the country to realize the commitment of 500 GW nonfossil energy capacity by 2030.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 828 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-04
Subject: Issuance of Headquarters Quota for Ticket Confirmation
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Rahul Kaswan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 828 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.02.2026

## ISSUANCE OF HEADQUARTERS QUOTA FOR TICKET CONFIRMATION

## †828.   SHRI RAHUL KASWAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that in recent times the Ministry of Railways has not been giving priority to special directives of distinguished persons/Members of Parliament regarding the issuance of headquarters quota for ticket confirmation;
- (b) if so, the details thereof including the number of such directives received and the quota issued during the last three months, zone-wise;
- (c) whether any complaints have been received from distinguished/Members of Parliament regarding deliberate preferential treatment or irregularities with regard to their directives; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the action taken in this regard?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND

## ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (d):   In order to meet the urgent travel requirements of High Official Requisition  (HOR)  holders  (which  includes  Central  Government  Ministers, Judges of Hon'ble Supreme Court/High Courts of various States), Members of Parliament and other emergent demands, who are on the waiting list, a limited  accommodation  is  earmarked  as  Emergency  Quota  in  different trains  and  in  different  classes.  The  quota  is  released  by  the  Railways  in accordance  with  the  priority  as  per  warrant  of  precedence  and  wellestablished practice being followed since long.

At  the  time  of  allotment  of  accommodation,  emergency  quota  is  first allotted for self travel of HOR holders/Members of Parliament, etc., strictly as per their inter-se seniority in warrant of precedence. Thereafter, other requisitions received from various quarters including those from Members of  Parliament  are  considered  and  the  remaining  quota  is  released  taking into  account  various  factors  like  official  status  of  passengers  travelling, nature of urgency like travelling on government duty, bereavement in the family, sickness, job interview, etc. Since a large number of requests are received from various quarters at various levels and are dealt with on day to day basis, details of requests received for release of accommodation out of Emergency Quota including those from HOR holders/Hon'ble Members of Parliament are only preserved as per extant guidelines. Any complaint received from Hon'ble Members of Parliament regarding non release  of  accommodation  out  of  Emergency  Quota  is  examined  and  if required,  suitable  action  as  per  extant  guidelines  is  taken.  Separate statistics of such complaints is, however, not maintained.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 824 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-04
Subject: Addition of  Renewable Energy Capacity
Ministry: NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Asked by: Shri V K Sreekandan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 824

ANSWERED ON 04.02.2026

## ADDITION OF RENEWABLE ENERGY CAPACITY

## 824. SHRI V K SREEKANDAN

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

- (a) whether it is a fact that the Country has added 31.25 gigawatt renewable energy during the current financial year which was short of the target;
- (b) if so, the details and the reasons therefor;
- (c) the total number of rooftop solar systems approved for the State of Kerala during the current financial year;
- (d) whether it is a fact that the solar energy concept is not gaining in the country at the moment since the cost of solar modules is too high; and
- (e) if so, the steps taken by the Government to bring down the cost of the module which is the heart of any solar energy system?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND POWER

## (SHRI SHRIPAD YESSO NAIK)

- (a)  No. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is working towards achieving 500 GW of installed electricity capacity from non-fossil fuel-based sources by 2030.  As on 31.12.2025, a total of 258 GW renewable energy capacity has been installed in the country.

During  the  current  financial  year  (April-December,  2025),  a  total  of  37.9  GW  renewable  energy capacity has already been added.

- (b)  Question does not arise.
- (c)   During the current financial year, 1,05,280 rooftop solar systems have been installed in the State of Kerala benefitting 1,08,010 households as on 30.01.2026.
- (d) & (e)   No. At present, the cost of domestically manufactured solar PV modules using imported solar PV cells is nearly at par or around the cost of imported solar PV modules after accounting for Basic  Customs Duty (BCD) and Agriculture  Infrastructure and Development Cess (AIDC).  Solar capacity addition achieved during the last three years is 15.03 GW in 2023-24, 23.83 GW in 2024-25 and 30.16 GW in first nine months of current financial year 2025-26.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 823 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-04
Subject: People Living Below Poverty Line
Ministry: PLANNING
Asked by: Shri Khalilur Rahaman

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF PLANNING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 823 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.02.2026

## PEOPLE LIVING BELOW POVERTY LINE

## 823.  SHRI KHALILUR RAHAMAN:

Will the Minister of PLANNING be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  people  living  under  Below  Poverty  Line  (BPL) category in the country, State/UT-wise;
- (b) the  date  on  which  the  last  estimation  of  BPL  category  was done;
- (c) whether there is an increase in the number and percentage of BPL  population  when  last  estimation  is  compared  to  the previous estimation and if so, the details thereof;
- (d)
- the criterion for considering a person in the BPL category; and
- the  steps  taken/being  taken  by  the  Government  to  uplift  the
- (e) people from the BPL category?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION; MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CULTURE

(RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

(a) to (d): In 2021, the Government of India developed a comprehensive  index known  as  the National Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) to measure poverty that captures overlapping deprivations in dimensions such as health, education and standard of  living,  covering  12  indicators.  The  second  edition  of  the  index was released in 2023. As per the National Multidimensional Poverty

Index:  A  Progress  Review  2023  released  by  NITI  Aayog,  the proportion of population in multidimensional poverty declined from 24.85 per cent in 2015-16 to 14.96 per cent in 2019-21, indicating that  about  13.5  crore  people  have  escaped  poverty  during  the period.  Further,  as  per  the  discussion  paper 'Multidimensional Poverty in India since 2005-06' published by NITI Aayog, multidimensional poverty in India is estimated to have declined from 29.17 per cent in 2013-14 to 11.28 per cent in 2022-23, indicating that  about  24.82  crore  people  have  escaped  poverty  during  this period. The details of the same are in the public domain and can be accessed at:  https://www.niti.gov.in/sites/default/files/2023-08/IndiaNational-Multidimentional-Poverty-Index-2023.pdf https://www.niti.gov.in/sites/default/files/2024-01/MPI-22\_NITI-Aayog20254.pdf

(e)  The  Government  has  launched  various  schemes  to  reduce multidimensional poverty, which, inter alia, include Saksham Anganwadi  &  POSHAN  2.0,  Pradhan  Mantri  Garib  Kalyan  Anna Yojana  (PMGKAY),  Pradhan  Mantri  Poshan  Shakti  Nirman  (PM POSHAN),  Pradhan  Mantri  Surakshit  Matritva  Abhiyan,  Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana (Saubhagya), PM Ujjwala Yojana, Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM), Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), Pradhan Mantri  Jan  Dhan  Yojana  (PMJDY),  Pradhan  Mantri  Awas  Yojana (PMAY) and PM Vishwakarma, etc.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 821 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-04
Subject: Increase in MPLADS
Ministry: STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION
Asked by: Dr. Angomcha Bimol Akoijam

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTIONΝ ΝΟ. 821 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.02.2026

## INCREASE IN MPLADS

821. DR. ANGOMCHA BIMOL AKOIJAM:

Will the Minister of STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION be pleased to state:

Whether there is any proposal or recommendation under consideration to  increase  the  annual  allocation  under  the  Members  of  Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) from the present Rs. 5 crore per annum, and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF STATISTICS  AND  PROGRAMME  IMPLEMENTATION;  MINISTER  OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CULTURE (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

The Ministry regularly receives and examines suggestions from various stakeholders, including proposals for revision of fund entitlements, in accordance  with  the  prescribed  procedures.  At  present,  there  is  no proposal under consideration to increase the annual allocation under the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) beyond the existing limit of Rs. 5 crore per annum.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 820 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-04
Subject: Ban on Azodicarbonamide & Butylated Hydroxyanisole in Food Products
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Shri Eswarasamy K

## Government of India

## Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Department of Consumer Affairs

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.820

TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.02.2026

## BAN ON AZODICARBONAMIDE & BUTYLATED HYDROXYANISOLE IN FOOD PRODUCTS

## 820. SHRI ESWARASAMY K:

## Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware of global scientific studies linking the food additives Azodicarbonamide  (ADA)  commonly  used  as  a  flour-bleaching  and  dough-strengthening  agent  in bread  and  Butylated  Hydroxyanisole  (BHA)  a  preservative  used  in  bakery  and  packaged  food products, with cancer, allergies, and respiratory illnesses;
- (b) whether ADA has been completely banned in many countries while BHA is under strict regulation globally and if so, the reasons for permitting it in the Country;
- (c) whether  the  Food  Safety  and  Standards  Authority  of  India  (FSSAI)  has  undertaken  any  recent reassessment of permissible limits for ADA and BHA in view of updated toxicological evidence and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government proposes a complete ban on ADA in bread and stronger regulation of BHA to protect public health; and
- (e) if so, the timeline for revising standards and ensuring strict enforcement and compliance from all food manufacturers and bakeries across the country?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

(SHRI B.L.VERMA)

- (a)      :   As per Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulation, 2011, use of Azodicarbonamide (ADA) is permitted in flours and starches (except atta, maida and corn starch) food category.

Butylated Hydroxy anisole (BHA) is permitted for use in several food products including Bakery products.

- (b) to (e) :  BHA is permitted for use as per CODEX, EU and US-FDA and ADA is permitted for use as per CODEX, EU.

The  food  safety  standards  are  made  based  on  the  scientific  opinion  provided  by  independent  risk assessment bodies i.e. Scientific Panels and Scientific Committee and are harmonized with internationally accepted Codex standards. Further, the standards are also reviewed time to time on the basis of the available scientific evidence and recognized global best practices.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 818 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-04
Subject: Encroachment of Metro Railway Land in Kolkata
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Jagannath Sarkar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.  818

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.02.2026

## ENCROACHMENT OF METRO RAILWAY LAND IN KOLKATA

## 818.  SHRI JAGANNATH SARKAR:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  land  belonging  to  Metro Railway near Masterda Surya Sen Metro Station (Bansdroni), Kolkata, has  been  used  as  an  unauthorised  bus  stand/informal  bike-parking area by unauthorised vendors for several years and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether such unauthorised occupation of Metro Railway land has continued for nearly fifteen years and if so, the details thereof along with the reasons for prolonged inaction despite the land being owned by Metro Railway;
- (c) the total area in square metres or acres of land encroached upon in and around Masterda Surya Sen Metro Station;
- (d)  whether  any  survey/notice/eviction  drive  has  been  conducted  to remove  such  encroachments  and  if  so,  the  details  and  the  present
- status thereof; and
- (e) the details of other locations in Kolkata where Metro Railway land is under unauthorised occupation along with time-bound steps proposed to remove such encroachments, Station and corridor-wise?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a)  to  (d):  For  operational  purpose,  Kolkata  Metro  Railway  required about  1420  sqm  of  land  near  Masterda  Surya  Sen  metro  station. Compensation for this land is required to be paid to seven numbers of

claimants. Out of seven, the compensation has been disbursed to six claimants proportionately. Last and seventh claimant has approached the  Court  of  the  Competent  Authority  under  the  Metro  Railways (Construction of Works) Act, 1978 and matter is subjudice. Presently land  is  not  in  Railways  possession  as  the  land  being  acquired  is  an undivided property. Only after reimbursement of full compensation to all the owners, the land will be taken into Railways possession. (e):  Total  area  of  about  1,590  sqm of  land  of  Metro Railway  is  under unauthorized occupation. Eviction drives are regularly being launched and  is  continuous  process  for  removing  encroachments.  In  case  of encroachments of temporary nature (soft encroachments) in the shape of jhuggies, jhopris and squatters, the same are removed in consultation and with the assistance of Railway Protection Force and local civil authorities.  For old encroachments which are in the form of pucca structures (hard encroachment), where party is not amenable to persuasion, action is taken under Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorized Occupants) Act, 1971 (PPE Act, 1971), as amended from time to time. Actual eviction of unauthorized occupants is carried out with the assistance of State Government and local administration/police.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 817 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-04
Subject: Technical Challenges in Fortified Rice Mixing
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Shri Vishaldada Prakashbapu Patil, Dr. Bachhav Shobha Dinesh, Ms. Praniti Sushilkumar Shinde

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 817

TO BE ANSWERED ON 4TH FEBRUARY, 2026

## TECHNICAL CHALLENGES IN FORTIFIED RICE MIXING

## 817.  SHRI VISHALDADA PRAKASHBAPU PATIL: DR. BACHHAV SHOBHA  DINESH: MS. PRANITI SUSHILKUMAR SHINDE:

Will  the Minister  of  CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND  PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION be pleased to  state:

- (a): whether the  Labs meant for  uniform mixing  of  Fortified  Rice Kernels (FRKs) with regular rice at the recommended ratio  of  1 :100 facing any technical challenge and if  so, the details thereof;
- (b): the details of  the measurable quality  assurance systems to ensure each batch of  fortified rice meets the micronutrient  specifications such as iron, folic acid, vitamin B12 etc.;
- (c): whether the Government has taken note that despite Maharashtra being a  major beneficiary State under the fortified  rice  programme only  about 10 per cent of  the total laboratories approved for  testing fortified rice are currently  operational in the State;
- (d): if  so, the reasons therefor; and
- (e): the details of total approved and currently  operational testing labs for testing fortificants in Fortified Rice (FR) in Maharashtra,  as of 2025?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

(SHRIM ATI  NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI  BAMBHANIYA)

- (a): No  technical challenges have been reported in  blending of  Fortified  Rice  Kernels (FRKs) with regular rice at a ratio of  1 : 100 during the milling  stage.
- (b): The following steps have been taken for quality  assurance of Fortified  Rice:
- >  The Food Safety and Standards Authority  of  India (FSS AI)  has notified standards for Fortified Rice (FR), Fortified  Rice Kernel (FRK)  and Vitamin-Mineral Premix for FRK.
- >  The FSS AI  has developed standardized methods for testing of  fortificants  (Iron, Folic  Acid  and B 12) in FR, FRK  and premix  to achieve uniform  test results across the country.
- >  The FSSAI  has published Guidelines  on  sampling of  FR, FRK  and premix  for  FRK  to ensure drawal of representative  samples.
- >  Each batch of Fortified Rice Kernels (FRKs) is being tested at FSS AI  empaneIIed National Accreditation Board for  Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL)  accredited laboratory before its blending  with  the conventional  rice.
- (c) to (e): As on December 2025, the FSSAI has approved 56 laboratories for testing of micronutrients (Iron, Folic acid and Vitamin B12) in Fortified Rice (FR), 31 labs for Fortified Rice  Kernel (FRK) and 17 labs for Vitamin-Mineral  premix for FRK across the country including 8 labs of  FR, 4 labs of FRK and 3 labs ofpremix in the state of  Maharashtra.

RSc SeRge
Lok Sabha Question No. 813 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-04
Subject: BharatNet Project in Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Shri Narayan Tatu Rane

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 813 TO BE ANSWERED ON 4 TH  FEBRUARY, 2026

## BHARATNET PROJECT IN RATNAGIRI-SINDHUDURG

## †813.  SHRI NARAYAN TATU RANE:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

(a) the number of villages connected with optical fibre under BharatNet project particularly in and around Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg Lok Sabha Constituency of Maharashtra;

(b) whether  many  villages  in  Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg  Lok  Sabha  Constituency  have  not  been provided internet facility under this scheme so far;

- (c) if so, the reasons therefor;

(d) whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg  Lok  Sabha  constituency  is basically rural, backward and extremely backward; and

(e) if  so,  the  time  by  when  the  net  facility  will  be  provided  here  keeping  in  mind  the  said condition?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT (DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)

(a), (b), (c), (d) & (e)  In Maharashtra, 24,575 Gram Panchayats (GPs) have been made service ready till  31.12.2025  under  BharatNet.  766  GPs  are  made  service  ready  in  Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg constituency  and  remaining  GPs  are  pending  due  to  the  challenges  like  Right  of  way  issues, involvement of multiple agencies etc. Further, Amended BharatNet program (ABP) is proposed to be implemented in the state of Maharashtra to provide connectivity to around 326 newly created GPs and 15,799 (approx.) Non- Gram Panchayat (GPs) villages on the demand basis. The timeline for completion  of  the  construction  phase  under  the  ABP  is  three  years  from  the  date  of  signing  of agreement.

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