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A REPORT ON

NORTH EAST GROUP CITIES WORKSHOP

URBAN CAPACITY BUILDING CHALLENGES

Venue: Conference Room, Hotel Delisso Abode, Gangtok

Date: 16th February 2012

PEER EXPERIENCE AND REFLECTIVE LEARNING (PEARL), JNNURM

Submitted to:

National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA), New Delhi

Submitted by:

CEPT University, Ahmedabad

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We sincerely acknowledge the valuable inputs, support & co‐operation rendered by individuals during the

course of this assignment. We would like to express our deep gratitude to:

Ms. Nisha Singh, Joint Secretary (Mission), Ministry of Urban Development

Mr. K. N. Topgay, Hon’ble Mayor, Gangtok Municipal Corporation

V. Lalengmawia, Secretary, Aizwal Municipal Council

Mr. J. D. Bhutia, Joint Secretary, UD Department, Govt of Sikkim

Mr. Anil Raj Rai, Commissioner, Gangtok Municipal Corporation

Mr. Ajay Suri, Regional Adviser, South Asia, Cities Alliance

Ms. Anjana Madhavan, Expert, Technical Cell, Ministry of Urban Development

Mr. Chetan Vaidya, Director, National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA)

Prof. V. K. Dhar, HUDCO Chair Professor, National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA)

Ms. Nilanjana Dasgupta Sur, Research Fellow, National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA)

And to all other participants, officers of Gangtok Municipal Corporation, Guwahati Municipal Corporation,

Aizwal Municipal Council, Imphal Municipal Council, Agartala Municipal Council, NIUA team and CEPT Team

for their presence in the programme.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................ 1

2 WORKSHOP SESSIONS ....................................................................................................... 2

2.1 Inaugural Plenary ..............................................................................................................................2

2.2 Self Introductions ..............................................................................................................................2

2.2.1 Welcome note by Municipal Commissioner, GMC .................................................................................. 3

2.2.2 Overview of PEARL by Prof. Dhar, Co-ordinator, NIUA ............................................................................ 3

2.2.3 Key Note Speech by Hon’ble Mayor, Gangtok ......................................................................................... 4

2.2.4 Inaugural Address by JS & Mission Director, MoUD ................................................................................ 4

2.3 Recape of PEARL NE Cities Workshop at Shillong by CEPT ...............................................................5

2.4 City Presentations .............................................................................................................................6

2.4.1 Aizwal Municipal Council ......................................................................................................................... 6

2.4.2 Agartala Municipal Council ...................................................................................................................... 6

2.4.3 Imphal Municipal Council ......................................................................................................................... 7

2.4.4 Guwahati Municipal Corporation ............................................................................................................. 7

2.4.5 Gangtok Municipal Corporation ............................................................................................................... 8

2.4.6 Concluding Remarks in the session by Smt. Nisha Singh ......................................................................... 8

2.5 Next generation CDP’s for NE: Opportunities and challenges” by CEPT ..........................................9

2.6 Closing Session/ Way Forward ..........................................................................................................9

LIST OF ANNEX

Annex-1: Kit for Exposure Visit ............................................................................................................ 11

Annex-2: Schedule ............................................................................................................................... 12

Annex-3: List of Participants ................................................................................................................ 10

Annex-4: Banner .................................................................................................................................. 13

Annex 5: Various Forms ....................................................................................................................... 14

CEPT University, Ahmedabad 1

1 INTRODUCTION

Peer Experience and Reflective Learning (PEARL) was initiated by the MoUD in 2007 to create manageable networks between JnNURM cities for cross learning and knowledge sharing regarding projects, urban reforms, innovative practices and city governance. Under the PEARL network cities are grouped based on their scale, economic, cultural and regional characteristics. Such groups are as follows:

Several capacity building workshops and conferences have been held for all these groups however participation from North East cities had been substantially low. To generate awareness and to bring NE cities together 1st PEARL workshop was help at Shillong on the 14th September 2010 where considerable ammount of participation and knowledge sharing did happen. This report documents the workshop held in Conference Room, Hotel Delisso Abode, Gangtok on 16th February 2012 is the second PEARL initiative for urban capacity building and knowledge sharing for North East Cities Group.

The conference organized by MoUD, NIUA and CEPT University. Conference was attended by various

political, executive staffs of ULB’s and practitioners from Guwahati (Assam), Gangtok (Sikkim), Shillong

(Meghalaya), Aizwal (Mizoram), Kohima (Nagaland), Agartala (Tripura) and Itanagar (Andhra Pradesh).

Besides the city personals the conference was attended by representatives of Cities Alliance (World Bank),

and MOUD. 5 representatives from CEPT and NIUA including the project coordinator and director were

present at the conference.

The conference was designed as an interactive session for a day covering different aspects of PEARL

initiatives, city- city learning, use of information technology with special emphasis on challenges in urban

management and urban capacity building in the North East Cities of India.


2 WORKSHOP SESSIONS

The workshop was designed with exposure visits and interactive sessions for two days covering different aspects of urban initiatives. Following sections describe the two days sessions.

2.1 Inaugural Plenary

The inaugural plenary was graced by Ms. Nisha singh, Honourable Joint Secretary-MOUD & Director-JNNURM, Mr. K. N. Topgay, Hon’ble Mayor, Gangtok Municipal Corporation, Mr. Anil Raj Rai, Municipal Commissioner, Gangtok, Mr. Thinlev P. Chankapa, Assistant Commissioner, Gangtok, Prof. V. K. Dhar, HUDCO Chair Professor, National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) and Prof. Saswat Bandyopadhyay, Faculty and program co-ordinator CEPT University.

Prof. Saswat Bandyopadhyay, Faculty and program co-ordinator CEPT University welcomed all the

participants and gave a brief background about the workshop and the agenda.

Prof. Saswat Bandyopadhyay setting the workshop context

2.2 Self Introductions

After the inaugural plenary all the participants introduced themselves and given a brief on the issues they face in their concerned cities. Some of the participants went on to discuss few of the good practices north east cities have achieved in the last decade or so. Concerns related to vulnerability to disasters of the entire North-East region have also been raised in the session. Given the opportunity Professor and project co-ordinator from CEPT given a brief of the activities CEPT is carrying out across India to increase urban sector capacity. Special thanks have also been extended to MOUD & NIUA for their support and co-operation.

Self Introduction of the Participants post inaugural Plenary


2.2.1 Welcome note by Municipal Commissioner, GMC

Mr. Anil Raj Rai, Municipal Commissioner, Gangtok welcomed all the guests and participants and emphasized the importance and need for such workshops. Key highlights of his speech are:

Due to Special status (constitution) of the ULB’s and existence of local laws the difficulty faced in implementing reforms by the Corporation and the State.

Formation of local body of GMC in last year and hence lack of clarity in jurisdiction and shortage in staffing.

He highlighted the need for “Appropriate Institutions” in Sikkim and right guidance of the State.

Emphasis has also been given to the needs and positive outcomes of training Foundations extended by CEPT to the Corporation staffs.

The Commissioner of GMC has also given thrust upon the needs for establishing local Urban training Institutes to cater the emerging needs for CB.

Infrastructure constraints and vulnerability of the region to disasters has also been touched upon in the speech of the Commissioner.

The need for greater flow of funds to carry out the functions by the Corporation also been expressed in the workshop.

2.2.2 Overview of PEARL by Prof. Dhar, Co-ordinator, NIUA

Prof. V. K. Dhar, HUDCO Chair Professor, NIUA welcomed all the guests and participants and emphasized the importance and need for such workshops. Following are some of the points highlighted by him:

Welcome note by Mr. Anil Raj Rai, Municipal Commissioner, Gangtok

o Key PEARL objective is knowledge sharing among cities which needs to be addressed during workshop.

o He remarked that NE Cities needs more information and knowledge flow to perform better in urban management.

o In terms of Sharing of good practices he emphasised to translate “PEARL as national hub”.

o PEARL presentation of his touched upon: NIUA’s role Workshops organised by PEARL, Knowledge Need Assessment, Cooperation with Cities Alliance, Identify Knowledge Need Assessment

of NE Cities, Srinagar –best practices presentation

April, Documentation of best practices.

Prof. V. K. Dhar, HUDCO, Chair Professor, NIUA, briefing PEARL activities


2.2.3 Key Note Speech by Hon’ble Mayor, Gangtok

Mr. Topgay initiated by Welcoming everybody and he extended warm welcome via Chief Minister. Major points of his speech delivered are:

Firstly he appreciated CEPT for timely organising this workshop as he mentioned GMC is only one year old and at beginning it is important to learn.

He mentioned that although GMC have been entrusted with limited function, but they are doing well whatever given in the context.

Good practices on solid waste management and experiment on conversion of Waste to energy is been given as example.

He applauded for the level of commitment the GMC staffs have shown during his term.

He emphasised that current grant in aid not sufficient for the city management and urged that Govt of India should fund through Special attention to North East.

He argued that smaller cities should also get proper attention and hence can be develop a balance urbanized state.

Gangtok – water supply project and sewerage management issues has also been highlighted during his speech.

Later he blamed for “long time approval” mechanism for sanctioning projects by the state and centre for JNNURM.

He stated that due to the fact that services provided by GMC were free it is difficult to convince to people to pay and cost recovery is highly difficult in the area.

Also special mention made about difficulties in taxing people and property tax implementation is very difficult and phased approach has been undertaken.

2.2.4 Inaugural Address by JS & Mission Director, MoUD

Honourable Ms. Nisha Singh started the address by saying “Hills and Hillnots dear to heart”. Key features of her inaugural address are:

She mentioned urban centres in hill have main problems in the form of:

o small populations and hence faces exclusion when compared with other Indian Cities,

o In the Hills context costly to analyze inputs.

She mentioned the challenge for “capacity “can be addressed at higher level with proper attention.

Special emphasis has also been laid by her to the need of Urban Planners as Municipal Cadre.

She mentioned North East need “handholding” IT or accounting for better governance.

Ms. Singh clearly underlined the fact that Ministry is completely aware of north east problem and they trying to extend all support to better institutionalize the region.

Key Note Speech by Mr. Topgay, Hon’ble Mayor, Gangtok

Address by, Smt. Nisha Singh, Hon’ble Joint Secretary & Mission Director, MOUD


“capacity building important” for north east and have o Urban management cell in ATIS funded o Capacity building funds centralized but they have proposal to decentralize capacity

building as an alternative. o Examine process for funds for state to take up reforming “state policy” “state

implementation” etc is also ongoing.

“Planning Commission” proposals are also been taken up seriously by Ministry she added.

She advised the GMC for Property tax reforms through linking the “commercial property” need to be taxed.

To conclude she added, although several reforms have been achieved but more needs to be done by the State of Sikkim and the GMC.

2.3 Recape of PEARL NE Cities Workshop at Shillong by CEPT

Professor Saswat Bandyopadhyay, Project Co-ordinator, CEPT lectured the session to give a brief overview of PEARL activities carried out by CEPT, experiences from Shillong workshop and way forward. The address covered the following points:

He initiated by covering objectives and activities carried by CEPT in PEARL Cities.

Later Mr. Bandyopadhyay highlighted major issues observed in NE Cities and needs arising in the context regarding adaptive capacities.

A quick recap of PEARL-Shillong workshop and outcomes has been presented by him.

He has presented the activities carried out by CEPT regarding knowledge management and lessons from Heritage Cities network:

I. Overview of network activities II. Horizontal learning & experience

sharing III. Exposure visits, Heritage walk,

Ahmedabad IV. How network cities benefit from a

knowledge network V. PEARL NE Cities group knowledge management scope.

Recap of PEARL Shillong by Professor Saswat Bandyopadhyay, Project Co-ordinator, CEPT

Participants discussing various issues raised by Prof. Saswat


2.4 City Presentations

Various officials from NE PEARL Cities shared their activities, issues and experiences in this session as outlined in following sections:

2.4.1 Aizwal Municipal Council

Mr. V. Lalengmawia, Secretary, Aizwal Municipal Council shared the activities and experiences of Aizawl Municipal Council doing with JNNURM projects and reforms. The Key issues he highlighted are:

2010 ULB – Aizwal Municipal Council formed (as per 2007

act) and is comparatively young.

AMC is not directly doing with JnNURM and working under

guidance of the State.

Two projects approved – implementation is been carried

out by PHED and PIU of the State UD Department.

UIDSSMT is also been looked after by the state and AMC has

very narrow role to play.

Property tax reform in the Council is more of a political

issue in the Council. Although no clear rules formulated for

property tax reform, he collection ratio he told is expected

to grow in coming years. A visit is been recently carried out

to Guwahati Municipal Corporation to formulated

methodologies for the reform in AMC.

Infrastructure projects in AMC is been currently worked at cost sharing on the basis of PPP –

90% from Municipal Corporation and 10% from private fund.

He underlined two major conflicts in the Council as:

o Role of Councilors in various wards, and

o Conflicts with village councilors

He stated that although State Finance Commission jointly formed in 2011but not much result

received by the ULB’s in this regard.

2.4.2 Agartala Municipal Council

Mr. Arupam Sen, Executive Engineer of Agartala Municipal Council described the good practices and issues in following heads:

Mr. V. Lalengmawia, Secretary, Aizwal Municipal Council

Mr. Arupam Sen, Executive Engineer, Agartala Municipal Council

For BSUP – Agartala Council won the “Best City Award”.

E-Governance to be achieved by March 2012.

Some gaps in reform progress due to Consultant (Problem) credibility.

Delayed release of government funds for JNNURM.

CDP – money not received.

Revised CDP in progress.

Comprehensive mobility plan adjoined with but fund sanctioned is still not done.

100% primary collection of solid waste is a major achievement dome by AMC.

AMC looking forward to have greater partnership with emerging stakeholders.


2.4.3 Imphal Municipal Council

Mr. S. Achoubi Singh, Executive Officer of Imphal Municipal Council addressed the workshop with following details:

He started with highlighting SWM Issues in the Council.

Functioning of Multiple agency and lack of private participation is an important blockage faced.

Imphal Municipal Council is currently focusing primarily on the following sectors

o Land Use planning, o Poverty Alleviation, o Rain Water Harvesting , and o Building Bye-Laws Approval.

Recycling of waste is not practicised instead just filling up of dump site is done.

Ward level Committee formed, ward development Committee 3 numbers (one elected and two nominated) for planning and prioritization of issues.

SLNA is playing a positive role for development of IMC.

2.4.4 Guwahati Municipal Corporation

Mr. Mukul Chandra Gogoi, Additional Commissioner in Guwahati Municipal Corporation discussed on

JNNURM reform implementation by GMC. He has touched upon the following aspects:

Firstly he mentioned Human Resources and Capacity Building

scenario in GMC, issues and achievements.

Existing staffing pattern, qualification of staffs etc has also

been elaborated during the session.

He has given a detailed profile of implementation status of

JNNURM reform in the context.

Property tax reform related activities and achievements (GIS

base mapping, ground truthing etc) have been elaborated in

his speech.

He hailed the Patna model of PT reform and said they are on

course to follow the same model.

To conclude he thanked CEPT and MOUD for the assistance in

the process of building Guwahati as a model City for North

East region.

Mr. S. Achoubi Singh, Executive Officer , Imphal Municipal Council

Mr. Mukul Chandra Gogoi, Additional Commissioner, Guwahati Municipal

Corporation


2.4.5 Gangtok Municipal Corporation

J. D. Bhutia, Joint Secretary with UDHD, Govt of Sikkim gave a detailed status presentation on progress of

JNNURM projects carried out by SLNA. The Following areas have been covered by him:

He mentioned that State government is just a partner in helping implement the JNNURM projects and reforms.

Small size of operation has made it easier for the ULB to carry out the project works supplemented by the State UD.

IDC is been roped in for building framework towards Institutional Development and CB for the ULB’s.

For GMC Governance Structure is been thought out to be revised and strengthened he added.

The state has initiated the process for rationalization of User Charges and Time Frame for the same has been worked out.

Details of Municipal Solid Waste management in Gangtok has also been highlighted by him as following:

o Door to door Collection imitated by GMC, o Number of sanitation workers needs to be increased, o GMC collects garbage collection fees through

consultative process, o Rate charged are been fixed by stakeholders, o Additional incentive given for prompt payers, o No separated provision for BPL or slum dwellers have been extended, o Installation of CCTV cameras for Garbage Disposers have been recently achieved, o GMC is trying to link garbage collection to renewal of trade licenses (Trade licenses Rs.

20,000/-for fines up to Rs. 20000), o In few wards NGOs are been involved in collecting of waste and take to direct dump.

2.4.6 Concluding Remarks in the session by Smt. Nisha Singh

J. D. Bhutia, Joint Secretary, UDHD, Govt of Sikkim

Ms Nisha Singh concluded the session on presentation of different NE Cities. Following points have been touched upon by her:

It has been difficult to finalize share of allocation of funds for various Cities,

She expressed interest in strengthening of ATIs and told ministry has initiated various proposals.

Reforms have to be taken seriously by the State and ULB’s to achieve greater success.

She emphasised the need for implementing mandatory reforms especially E-governance.

For achieving Reforms the ULB’s need timely handholding support which MOUD is trying to extend.

She expressed the need for formulation of State level Capacity Building Fund Plans.

Training Delivery Mechanisms are been revised to the needs arising in the present context.

Training to whom? Is sometimes becomes an important concern due to increasing stakeholder base in the cities.

State level cadres for municipal management needs to be strengthened.

She concluded by saying the next generation CDP’s needs to be “Vernacular”.

Smt. Nisha Singh interacting with participants


2.5 Next generation CDP’s for NE: Opportunities and challenges” by CEPT

Dr. Shrawan Acharya, Professor in CEPT talked on the issues and incorporations required for next generation CDP’s. He explained the below mentioned points:

Firstly he explained various types of development plan concepts.

Urbanisation issues and emerging concerns in NE Cities have been highlighted during his speech.

He emphasised on Vulnerability to disasters in Hill cities and need for multi hazard risk assessment in the CDP’s.

Issues highlighted in 1st generation CDP’s have also been presented in the session.

Special emphasis has to be given towards building CDP’s as a living document with emerging concerns he added.

Inclusion of heritage and urban renewal strategies have to be strengthened in the next generation CDP’s he strongly argued.

Institutional & HR assessment and CB has to be highlighted in the CDP’s to make them more contextual.

Knowledge needs assessment has to be carried out by the ULB’s to understand and srategise institutional strengthening.

Various other recommendations from CEPT for next generation CDP’s have also been made by him.

2.6 Closing Session/ Way Forward

In the closing session various suggestions have been made by the participants, which are as follows: o Need for creation of special institutions which can address urban issues specifically for North East

Cities have been emphasised by the City administrators participating in the workshop. o The CDP’s should be more contextual to the issues of North East and not generalized. Standards,

guidelines and toolkits have to be context specified as per the North east city needs. o Clear linkage needs to be built between the Development plan and CDP’s for the North East Cities

which is currently missing. o Inventory of local resources needs to be carried out through participation of private entities in

urban planning and development which can be useful in strengthening the CDP and DPR preparation process as well as project implementation.

Dr. Shrawan K. Acharya, CEPT addressing the workshop

Discussion during Closing Session


Annex-1: List of Participants

Sr. No.

Name Designation Organization Contact No. Email Address

1 Ms. Nisha Singh JS, Mission Director, JnNURM MOUD 011-23062309 [email protected]

2 Prof. V.K Dhar Professor NIUA 9864034376 [email protected]

3 Ms. Nilangana Sur Research Fellow NIUA 9891042174 [email protected]

4 Mr. A Madhavan Expert Technical Cell, MOUD

5 Mr. K. N. Topgay Mayor Gangtok Municipal Corporation 9735988383

6 Mr. Shakti Singh Chaudhari Dy Mayor Gangtok Municipal Corporation

6 Mr. Anil Raj Rai Commissioner Gangtok Municipal Corporation 9593782919

7 Mr. Arupam Sen Executive Engineer Agartala Municipal Council 09436504069 [email protected]

8 Mr.Kh. Iboyaima Singh Engineering Officer Imphal Municipal Council 09856089079

9 Mr.S. Achoubi Singh Executive Officer Imphal Municipal Council 08974593613

10 Mr. Mukul Chandra Gogoi Additional Commissioner Guwahati Municipal Corporation 09435037631 [email protected]

11 Mr. V. Lalengmawia Secretary Aizwal Municipal Council 09436154616 [email protected]

12 Mr. Ajay Suri Regional Adviser, South Asia Cities Alliance

13 Mr. Bijay Gurung Media Person Sikkim Express

14 Mr. Prasant Pradhan Architect Gangtok Municipal Corporation

15 Mr. H. K. Chettri Deputy Commissioner Gangtok Municipal Corporation

16 Mr. Thinlevpchankapa Assistant Commissioner Gangtok Municipal Corporation

17 Mr. Pillai Pr. Private Secretary UDHD, Govt of Sikkim

18 Mr. J. D. Bhutia Joint Secretary UDHD, Govt of Sikkim

19 Mr. Vimal Khawas Research Fellow Central University of Sikkim

20 Ms. Sunaina Chauhan M. Plan Student CEPT University

21 Dr. Shrawan Kumar Acharya

Professor CEPT University 079 26302470 [email protected]

22 Prof. Saswat Bandyopadhyay

Professor CEPT University 079 26302470 [email protected]

23 Mr. Alok Das Project Associate CEPT University 079 26302470 [email protected]


Annex-2: Kit for Exposure Visit

Traditional Cotton Cloth Bag

CD containing Toolkits

I- Card

Schedule

Welcome Note

Registration Form

CEPT’s brochure related to academic courses


Annex-3: Schedule

NORTH EAST GROUP CITIES WORKSHOP UNDER

PEER EXPERIENCE AND REFLECTIVE LEARNING (PEARL), JNNURM “Urban Capacity Building Challenges”

Venue: Conference Room, Hotel Delisso Abode, Gangtok Date: 16th February 2012

Programme Schedule

09.45-10.00 Registration

10:00 – 10.45 Inaugural Plenary

Self Introductions

Welcome note by Municipal Commissioner, GMC

PEARL Overview by Co-ordinator, NIUA

Key Note Speech by Hon’ble Mayor, Gangtok

Outline of Programme by the Programme Co-ordinator, CEPT

10.45- 11.00 PEARL Updates by NIUA

11.00-11.15 Recap of PEARL NE Cities Workshop at Shillong by CEPT

11.15- 11.30 Tea

11.30- 13.00 City Presentations on Human Resource and Capacity development challenges in the

context of JnNURM projects and Reforms

Session Chair: Hon’ble Mayor, Gangtok

Aizwal

Agartala

Gauhati

Imphal

Gangtok

Open forum

13.00-14.00 Lunch

14.00-14.20 Next generation CDP’s: Opportunities and challenges” by CEPT University, Ahmedabad

14.20-15.00 Discussion on “Urban Capacity Development Challenges and Expectations from PEARL

Network”

Session Chair: NIUA/CEPT

Panellists: Commissioner, Gangtok, CEO, Aizawl, Addl.MC, Gauhati, EO, Imphal and

EE, Agartala

15:00– 15:20 Summary of the Discussion by CEPT

Way Forward by NIUA

Vote of Thanks by GMC

15.20 Tea and Close


Annex-4: Banner


Annex 5: Various Forms



“Urban Capacity Building Challenges”


WELCOME NOTE

Dear Delegate,

Welcome to Gangtok!

The PEARL workshop organizing committee has made all possible arrangements to make your

stay comfortable. You are requested to take note of the following aspects during your stay,:

Your room is booked till 17th February, 2012, 12 noon. Kindly sign the room bill at the

time of check out. No payment is required for the room.

Kindly take note of the following details :

o All days Buffet Breakfast will be served at the hotel restaurant, 7 am - 9 am

o 15th & 16th February dinner will be served at the hotel

o Workshop Tea/Lunch on 16th February will be served at Conference Room

Any other personal expenses (such as mini-bar, laundry, calls etc.) may kindly be settled

directly with the hotel while checking out.

If you need any other assistance, please feel free to call Mr. Alok Das (Cell: 09426260845).

Wish you a very pleasant stay at Gangtok.

CEPT, Ahmedabad




“Urban Capacity Building Challenges”


REGISTRATION FORM

Name of Delegate: Signature:

Designation:

Department / Organization:

Office Address:

Phone (O):

Mobile:

Fax No :

Email Address:

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