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| Tuesday, August 15, 2000, Chandigarh, India   
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Proxy war obstacle to peace: George All set for hostage swap with Veerappan Mahendra Chaudhry arriving on Aug 16 Lobbying for Chhattisgarh CM’s post |
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Oppn MLAs suspended from AP House Dot com to help farmers Sonia seeks govt help on coop societies Medallions for
old PEC students President greets people on Rakhi HPU admissions Tihar convicts not to get remission Task force on kids, women set up Plea to involve all regions in talks Monsoon active in Rajasthan Cong chief writes to PM
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Proxy war obstacle to peace: George NEW DELHI, Aug 14 — Defence Minister George Fernandes has termed Pakistan’s proxy war against India as the “biggest stumbling block” to peace and declared that as long as Islamabad continues to send armed intruders into India, talks between the two countries cannot take place. In his address to the armed forces on the eve of Independence Day, the Defence Minister said today Pakistan was well aware that its troops could not match the Indian forces in any war and so Islamabad had resorted to proxy war to destabilise India. “Even these designs are being foiled by our alert jawans. A large number of mercenaries, mostly foreign nationals, have been killed in Jammu and Kashmir creating demoralisation among the Pakistani terrorists”. The Defence Minister said India had always extended a hand of friendship to Pakistan, but Islamabad continued to nurse hostility “towards us”, adding that the Kargil intrusion was the latest example of betrayal by Islamabad. Mr Fernandes told the troops that during the Kargil conflict the three wings of the armed forces had shown exemplary cohesion, courage, coordination and sacrifice. He told the troops that their contribution to maintaining internal security in the country was “unmatched”, adding that “as is your effort now in maintaining peace in United Nations peacekeeping missions.” “After Independence, 50,000 Indian servicemen have taken part in 29 peace missions all over the globe, which is a record in itself,” he said, as he made special reference of the recent daring rescue operation undertaken in Sierra Leone. Mr Fernandes said keeping in view the prevailing security environment in the region, the government was taking urgent steps to ensure that the armed forces were equipped with state-of-the-art armaments and weapon systems, declaring that the problem of funds would not be allowed to come in the way of this process. “From small weapons, we are today making warships, jet fighters to missiles and ultra-modern ammunition,” he said. The minister specially referred to the armed forces maintaining exemplary human rights record even in the face of grave provocation in Jammu and Kashmir and the contribution made by the troops in environmental protection. |
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All set for hostage swap with Veerappan CHENNAI, Aug 14 (PTI, UNI) — In the first sign of a movement towards securing the release of Kannada film icon Rajkumar and three others, the Tamil Nadu Government today ordered the transfer of three TADA detainees to a prison in Erode district, where forest brigand Veerappan has kept them captives, in a possible prisoner-for-hostages swap. The detainees Manickandan, Sathyamurthy and Muthukumar, believed to be members of Tamil extremist groups TNLA and TNRP were being shifted from a jail in Tiruchirapalli to Bhavani prison in Erode district, the police said. They were arrested for an attack on a police station last year. The shifting of the three came close on the heels of the fresh list of demands sent by Veerappan which included the release of five Tamil extremists as a condition for freeing Rajkumar and three others held hostages since July 30. The Tamil Nadu Government had acceded to the request and said the ultras would be let off only simultaneously with the release of Veerappan’s captives. In Bangalore, Karnataka Home Minister Mallikarjun Kharge told reporters that a set of its orders on the action it had taken to meet the brigand’s demands, including the release of 51 TADA detainees, would be sent to Veerappan through journalist-emissary R.R. Gopal. Mr Gopal is likely to return to Veerappan’s hideout on August 16. Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi today met top officials of the state and Karnataka to end the hostage crisis. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu telephoned his Tamil Nadu counterpart M. Karunanidhi and commended the state government for the steps being taken for the release of Dr Rajkumar. Mr Naidu wanted the government to continue to take steps for the early release of the film actor, an official statement here said. |
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Mahendra Chaudhry arriving on Aug 16 NEW DELHI, Aug 14 — Deposed Prime Minister of Fiji Mahendra Pal Chaudhry, who is arriving here on August 16 on a 10-day visit to hold talks with the Indian Government, will be accorded all courtesies accorded to heads of state or government. Mr Chaudhry, who was ousted in a military coup on May 19 this year, will visit Rohtak en route his ancestral village Bahu Jamalpur on August 19 after holding discussions with the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee on August 18. Announcing the arrival of Mr Chaudhry, a spokesman of the Ministry of External Affairs said the deposed Fiji Prime Minister will meet Mr Vajpayee on August 18 for a detailed discussion on the current situation in Fiji. Mr Vajpayee will host a lunch in the honour of Mr Chaudhry, the spokesman said. Mr Chaudhry, during his talks with the President, Mr K.R. Narayanan and the Prime Minister, will seek greater Indian cooperation and help for mounting international pressure on the Fijian authorities for the restoration of non-racial democratic government in the Pacific island nation according to the 1997 Constitution. The External Affairs Minister, Mr Jaswant Singh and the Lok Sabha Speaker, Mr G.M.C. Balayogi will call on Mr Chaudhry. Mr Chaudhry, who will arrive on the evening of August 16, will be felicitated by Maharshi Dayanand University on August 17. India has decided to treat Mr Chaudhry as “a Prime Minister on a private visit”, the spokesman said. On August 20, Mr Chaudhry, who is coming to India after his visits to Australia and New Zealand where he held talks with the two governments, will visit Agra and then he would reach Chandigarh on his way to Shimla on August 21 where he will stay till August 23. On August 23, the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal and the Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala will call on Mr Chaudhry in Chandigarh. The next day, the deposed Prime Minister of Fiji will be given a public reception by Antar-Rashtriya Sahyog Parishad and Mr Chaudhry will meet Members of Parliament on August 25. Mr Chaudhry will leave on August 26 for a visit to Canada and the UK. |
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Lobbying for Chhattisgarh CM’s post NEW DELHI, Aug 14 — Various lobbies have activated themselves pitchforking their candidates in the leadership stakes even as the Congress high command is yet to apply its mind with regard to the newly created and predominantly tribal state of Chhattisgarh. An intense struggle is on the cards with several heavyweights already eyeing the leadership as the Congress is all set to form the government in Chhattisgarh with a strength of 48 in the 90-member legislature. Vociferous demands are already being made that a tribal leader from the current crop of MLAs should be installed Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh. The move is to forestall the likes of veteran Congressmen like Mr Motilal Vora, Mr Ajit Jogi and the Shukla brothers — Mr Shyama Charan and Mr Vidya Charan coming into reckoning for the Chief Minister’s post. Considering the factional politics of the Congress in Madhya Pradesh, a lot will depend on who Chief Minister Digvijay Singh has in mind. And importantly the wily and suave Digvijay Singh has the eyes and ears of Congress President Sonia Gandhi which is expected to carry the day ultimately. Leaders from Madhya Pradesh emphasise that there is not one legislator among the 48 MLAs from Chhattisgarh who is acceptable all over the state. However, if the strategy is to annoint a tribal leader as Chief Minister then the choice can veer around to Madhya Pradesh Jail Minister Mahendra Karma. Mr Karma hails from Bastar and has been a former member of the Lok Sabha. Apart from having his Chief Minister’s support, he is close to deputy leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha and former Union Minister Madhavrao Scindia. However, former Governor and an old Congress war horse Motilal Vora appears to be the best bet to take over as the political numero uno of Chhattisgarh at this juncture despite the imponderables connected with any leadership tussle. Then there are the sidelined Shukla brothers who are just as keen that the Congress leadership rehabilitate them. The Shukla brothers are handicapped in that the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister is not favourably inclined towards them. Mr Shyama Charan, who has always remained in state politics, has come to the central arena for the first time by virtue of his being elected to the 13th Lok Sabha. Mr Vidya Charan, on the other hand, whose role as the Information and Broadcasting Minister during the infamous internal emergency from 1975 to 1977 has been left to cool his heels. Not to be outdone and to ensure that he is in contention for the Chief Minister’s post, Mr Shyama Charan has gone on record to state that “he is willing to take on this responsibility if the Congress high command asks him to do so.” Mr Vidya Charan, on the other hand, claims the support of a dozen MLAs and has also been in the vanguard of the Chhattisgarh Rajya Sangharsh Morcha. It is not without reason that the demand for a “local leader to be made the Chief Minister” is slowly but surely gaining ground in Chhattisgarh. This lobby among Congressmen considers Mr Vora and the Shukla brothers as rank outsiders. Besides Mr Karma, the other tribal leaders from Chhattisgarh of any standing are former Union Minister Arvind Netam and Mr C.L. Bhendia, who is a member of the Rajya Sabha. Can there be any realignment of forces in the Congress in Chhattisgarh should some disgruntled heavyweights be left out in the cold? It seems unlikely as it will require no fewer than 16 MLAs to split the legislature party without attracting the provisions of the Anti-Defection Law. The breakup of the 90-member Chhattisgarh Assembly following the constitution of the new state by November is as follows: Congress — 48, BJP — 36, Bahujan Samaj Party — 3, Gondwana Ganatantra Party — 1 and Independents — 2. The composition of the Assembly is such that virtually 50 per cent of the seats are reserved and 85 per cent of the population of Chhattisgarh belongs to backward classes and the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes. |
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Oppn MLAs suspended from AP House HYDERABAD, Aug 14 (PTI) — Defiant members belonging to the main opposition Congress and Left parties, demanding rollback of the hike in power tariff, were today suspended for the day from the Andhra Pradesh Assembly for stalling the proceedings of the House. Over 50 Congress members, including its floor leader
Y. S.. Rajasekhar Reddy and two members of the CPM and a lone member of the CPI-ML (new democracy) were suspended by the Speaker, K. Pratibha Bharathi, after nearly three hours of uproar. State Legislative Affairs Minister y.
Ramakrishnudu, who had earlier invoked Rule 300 seeking suspension of the opposition members for stalling the proceedings, asked the Chair to contemplate necessary action against two Congress members —
D. Nagender and Suryaprakash Reddy — for violating the code of conduct of the House. The Minister alleged that the two members, while raising slogans against the government on the power hike issue, stood on their seats and tore some papers relating to the House, which amounted to violation of code of conduct constituted by the Ethics Committee of the House. Earlier, the four members belonging to the
MIM led by their floor leader a. Owaisi staged a walkout protesting against the government’s refusal to withdraw the tariff hike. The House, which assembled to resume debate on the tariff issue after a two-day recess, witnessed pandemonium as opposition members led by Rajasekhar Reddy insisted that Chief Minister n.
Chandrababu Naidu, announce withdrawal of the hike. Even after suspension of Congress and Left members, tempers ran high and tension mounted as the agitated members, defying the Speaker’s orders to leave the House, resumed their seats and continued to raise slogans against the government. Some members rushed to the podium and flung pieces of papers in the House, forcing the Chair to issue warnings. The power tariff hike rocked the assembly today when the House resumed its sitting after a short recess to continue the debate on the hike issue till 12 noon and thereafter take up the zero-Budget presentation as was decided earlier at the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting chaired by the Speaker. However, opposition members of the Congress and Left parties, who according to the Chair endorsed the decision at the BAC, made a volte face and insisted that Chief Minister Naidu announce the rollback of the hike before the Budget presentation. Intervening amidst the din, Naidu said he would give a reply after the conclusion of the debate, which was taken up on Thursday last. The Chair also concurred with his view. Not satisfied with the Chief Minister’s stand, the Congress and Left parties members stuck to their guns and insisted on a reply. At one stage, an agitated Rajasekhar Raddy accused the Speaker of not coming to their (opposition) rescue. Later, the state government presented its first full-fledged tax-free zero-based Budget for 2000-2001, focussing on containing non-plan expenditure and projected a net deficit of Rs 328.93
crore. |
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Dot com to help farmers NEW DELHI, Aug 14 — The dot com revolution, which is sweeping the globe is entering the agriculture sector too. The website aims at providing the farmers an insight into the agri-sector by analysing data and help them in taking informative decisions. “Agriwatch.com is a scientific and systematic effort to bring in digital revolution to agri-business and to bring about qualitative changes in the trading practices in agri-businesses,” the CEO of the site, Mr Sunil Khairnar, said. The site enables nearly real time information exchange and analysis of prices and trends of various agricultural commodities, he says. “The multi-national companies and bigger exporters derive tremendous advantage out of their superior information gathering and in-house analysis of market information,” he said. “The site aims at making the same quality of information available to local traders, processors and exporters to enable them to take smarter decisions. The farmers in the country face the same disadvantage vis-a-vis the traders in the local market. The site will make them better equipped to take decisions on crops to be sown and the timing of selling their harvests,” Mr Khairnar said. The value added and primary information made available at the site would enable various participants in the agri-business sector such as farmers, traders, processors of agricultural outputs, suppliers of agricultural inputs to take more informed decisions. The site contains statistics, schemes, events, legal issues, commodity basics, education, careers and a yellow page directory containing over 100,000 participants in domestic and international trade. Besides, the site has a team of professionals who analyse the data using statistical techniques and econometric models to analyse the trends in case of vital parameters such as
commodity prices, supply and demand and produce commodity specific and aggregate reports, which could act as a useful tool to farmers and traders to make intelligent decisions, he says. |
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Sonia seeks govt help
on coop societies NEW DELHI, Aug 14 — Congress President Sonia Gandhi has sought the help of the BJP-led NDA government in strengthening the cooperative movement for the benefit of the poor. In a letter to the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, the Congress President sought to draw the attention of the government on two matters concerning cooperative societies which had been pending with it. She sought amendments in the Multi-State Cooperative Act, 1984, to incorporate fully the basic principles of cooperation of open membership, democratic member control, autonomy and independence as enunciated by the International Cooperative Alliance, the Committee on a Model Cooperative Act and other expert bodies. This matter lay with the Minister of Agriculture. Ms Gandhi also sought appropriate amendment in the Banking Regulation Act, already approved by the Reserve Bank of India, to enable the setting up of a national cooperative bank. This issue had been pending with the Finance Minister, the Congress President said. Pointing out that she had already written to Congress Chief Ministers requesting them to amend and modernise the laws governing cooperative societies, she said she felt that cooperatives could act as the best vehicles for promoting a more equitable sharing of benefits of economic growth and capturing the gains of economic liberalisation for the
poor. |
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Medallions for
old PEC students NEW DELHI, Aug 14 — Fortytwo persons who did their engineering from Punjab Engineering College (PEC) more than 50 years ago were presented with “Pecoba Medallions” at the millennium meet of the Punjab Engineering College Chandigarh Old Boys Association (PECOBA) held here. Inscribed on the medallions were the words “50+ golden years”. Over 2,000 alumni of the college, some passouts of 1930s and 1940s, came to the millennium meet held yesterday evening and danced to their favourite numbers. Taking the older generation by surprise, there were musical numbers from the 1930s and 1940s also. Having participants from over 30 cities, including the USA, Canada and Kuwait, the meet was followed by a cultural programme produced by Mr Amarjit Singh Kohli and compered by Jaspal Bhatti and TV newsreader I.P. Singh Bawa. Minister of Agriculture Nitish Kumar was the chief guest while Mr B.R. Kinra, who did his engineering in 1938 from Mr Macalagan College of Engineering, Lahore, inaugurated the meet. Among the alumni of college are Prof Satish Dhawan, former Chairman, Space Commission, and Kalpana Chawla, the first Indian woman who flew in a US spaceship. Those who received the medallions included Mr B.R. Kinra, Mr Chander Prakash Chug, Mr Ashok Sagar, Mr Satya Nand, Mr Krishan Chandra, Chaudhary Jagman Singh, Mr Pritam Singh, Brig
O. P. Narula, Mr D.V. Gulati, Wg Cdr Iqbal Singh and Mr A.S. Chatrath. |
President greets
people on Rakhi
NEW DELHI, Aug 14 (UNI) — President
K.R. Narayanan has extended warm greetings and good wishes to all fellow citizens on Raksha
Bandhan. Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee said this auspicious occasion strengthened the bonds of brotherhood and amity in all sections of society. “We should celebrate the festival of love in the true spirit of fraternity and
cordiality.’ |
HPU admissions NEW DELHI, Aug 14 — Himachal Pradesh University
(HPU) will conduct on-the-spot admission to postgraduate correspondence courses at two centres in Delhi from August 16 to 31. The Director
ICDEOL, HPU, Mr O. P. Saraswat, said admission to M. Com, PGDPM and LW, MA (math and Sanskrit), BA and B.Com would be conducted at Himachal
Bhavan, Mandi House, New Delhi. He said admission to MA (English, Hindi, history, political science, public administration and economics) would be conducted at Rainbow Senior Secondary School, C-3,
Janakpuri, New Delhi. |
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Tihar convicts not
to get remission NEW DELHI, Aug 14 — The Lt- Governor of Delhi has decided against remitting the sentences of 1,600 convicts in Tihar jail on
Independence Day this year. Sources said the decision was conveyed to the jail authorities in a recent communication. The communication reportedly stated that such a proposal would be considered only once a year on Republic Day. The sources said the IG (Prison) in his proposal had stated that as per the practice dating back to the first Independence Day in 1947, convicts serving sentences above five years were granted remission of three months and those convicted for a period between two and five years got a relief of two months. They said those convicted for rape, murder and under the NDPS Act were not eligible for remission in sentences. As per the rules, convicts also get two days remission in a month for good conduct on the recommendation of the Jail Superintendent. Apart from the Lt-Governor, other senior jail officers are also empowered to give remission in sentences. The cumulative remission in the sentence, however, cannot exceed three months. |
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Task force on kids, women set up NEW DELHI, Aug 14 — The Centre has set up a task force on women and children to review the existing legislation and schemes for improving women’s access to national resources. The Deputy Chairperson of the Planning Commission is the Chairperson of the task force. A notification to this effect was issued here today. Sources in the Ministry of Human Resource Development told TNS here that the task force would review the existing provisions relating to women’s participation in the national economy and draft a programme to observe 2001 as the Year of Women Empowerment. The task force would submit its report by October 31 this year. According to the terms of reference, the task force will identify and recommend measures for the resolution of problems related to gender mainstreaming. The task force is required to consider and make recommendations for the development of institutional mechanism for advancement of women with the strategic objectives of integrating a gender perspective in legislation, public policies, programmes and projects. It will also review the women’s component plans, integrate women development schemes and amalgamation and consolidation, where necessary. |
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Plea to involve all
regions in talks NEW DELHI, Aug 14 — The Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party has urged the Centre to involve the leaders of all three regions of the state in any dialogue on bringing peace in the state. At a meeting of the party’s working committee held under the chairmanship of its President, Prof Bhim Singh, the leaders urged the Centre to confine the agenda of any talks with Pakistan to the liberation of the PoK. It also criticised the Centre for sending senior officials to meet leaders of a banned outfit. Meanwhile, the Kashmiri Samiti, Delhi, has demanded that Pakistan be declared a terrorist state for its armed intervention in Jammu and Kashmir and sabotaging peace initiatives of the Indian Government. In a resolution adopted on the “black day” being observed by the samiti every year on August 14 since 1990, the samiti also demanded a judicial probe into the origin of armed militancy in Jammu and Kashmir in 1989 leading to the exodus of the KP community from the place of its birth. |
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Jaya for army action
to nab Veerappan CHENNAI, Aug 14 (PTI) —The Aiadmk Chief, Ms Jayalalitha, today demanded army action to nab forest brigand Veerappan to secure the release of Kannada film star Rajkumar and demanded the resignation of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka Chief Ministers for “improper handling” of the hostage issue. She also demanded imposition of President’s rule in these states. “The Army should be deployed to mount a raid on Veerappan’s hideout and the dangerous criminal should be shot dead. According to my perception this is the only way to resolve crisis,” she said in a statement here. |
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Monsoon active
in Rajasthan NEW DELHI, Aug 14 — Monsoon has been active in Rajasthan and the hills of western Uttar Pradesh. Rainfall: Rain or thundershowers have occurred at most places in eastern Rajasthan, at many places in western Rajasthan and the hills of western Uttar Pradesh, at a few places in the plains of Uttar Pradesh and at isolated places in the rest of the region. The chief amounts of rainfall in cm are: Himachal Pradesh: Pandoh 2, Rajasthan: Jaipur 12, Bundi 9, Varda 6, Abhapura and Deoli 5 each, Chittorgarh, Chhapi, Jaitpura, Jaitran, Kota, Mount Abu and Sarera 4 each, Aurwas Dam, Gegal, Gopalpura, Jawahar Sagar, Jalore, Kothari, Merta, Mandal, Nasirabad, Pisangan, Pali, Sawai Madhopur and Srinagar 3 each, Degana, Jodhpur, Kanota, Kishangarh, Makrana, Morel Dam, Rana Pratap Sagar and Udaipur 2 each and Ajmer, Bikaner, Bhilwara, Jhahim, Khewsar, Ladnu and Nawa 1 each and Uttar Pradesh: Haripur 12, Dehra Dun 8, Chillaghat 7, Hardwar 6, Uttarkashi 3, Ankinghat, Kakrahi and Marora 2 each and Allahabad, Dalmau, Joshimath, Mukhilshpur and Narora 1 each. Forecast valid until the morning of 16th: Rain or thundershowers will occur at many places in eastern Uttar Pradesh and the hills of western Uttar Pradesh, at a few places in Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, eastern Rajasthan and the plains of western Uttar Pradesh and at isolated places in the rest of the region. Heavy rainfall warning: Heavy rain is likely at isolated places in eastern Uttar Pradesh and the hills of western Uttar Pradesh during next 24 hours. Forecast for Delhi and neighbourhood valid until the morning of 16th: Partly cloudy sky with thundery development and light rain in some areas. Farmers weather bulletin for Delhi forecast valid until the morning of 16th: Light rain will occur at a few places. Outlook for the subsequent two days: No large change. |
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Cong chief writes
to PM NEW DELHI, Aug 14 — Congress President Sonia Gandhi has written to Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee seeking to draw his attention to the prevailing law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh. Giving the specific example of the recent murder of Shiv Kumari, widow of a Kargil martyr, by goons allegedly hired by her father-in-law, Ms Gandhi said the incident reflected the law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh. She pointed out that the incident also highlighted the need for effective policies and laws to protect widows and children of martyred soldiers. In the letter the Congress president appealed to the Prime Minister to use his influence with the UP government to ensure that the guilty are brought to justice speedily. The victim, Shiv Kumari hails from Ms Gandhi’s constituency in Sultanpur district. She also requested the government to ensure that under the circumstances in which the Kargil widow was murdered, the compensation amount to be received by her should not go to her in-laws. |
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