Amit Shaw Threatening Open Letter to Andhra Pradesh People
Link of an open letter addressed
to the people of Andhra Pradesh by Amit Shaw: http://base.amitshah.co.in/2019/02/11/an-open-letter-to-people-of-andhra-pradesh/?fbclid=IwAR0e24PArllR-WxBNKLem4ed5MmVPiW-QHh8z8fOvNeupsFtnddeKxlMdFc
It is a 13 page letter detailing the various aspects of the issue
pertaining to non-conferring of Special Status to Andhra Pradesh.
Even if you have no patience to read the entire letter, please just
peruse the letter to note that many projects were being sanctioned in record
time and are being monitored.
And the main points mentioned in the letter are brought out hereunder for
your attention which will expose Naidu completely.
Salient Points mentioned in the letter:
Telugu Desam Leader and AP Chief Minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu is on the
war path in vociferously demanding a special status for Andhra Pradesh which
centre is not willing to grant.
The reasons adduced by the Centre are listed here:
1. Special Category
Status to Andhra Pradesh: For
Granting of special status, the Centre has been constrained by the
recommendations of the 14th Finance Commission, which did not make a
distinction between special and general category states for financial support
and tax devolution. As a result, the Centre in consultation with the state
Government worked out special assistance for AP.
2. Special Assistance
instead of Special category: Special assistance has been given by the Centre
Government for 5 years which would make up for the additional Centre share the
state might have received during these years i.e. 2015-16 to 2019-20, as per
PM’s statement of 20-02-2014.
3. Special Central fund
assistance for externally aided projects for Andhra Pradesh is bound by the
Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Bill (FRBM). As the Fiscal
Responsibility and Budget Management Bill (FRBM) impose limits of the State,
the Centre wanted the State to create a financial Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV)
and the proposal, though conveyed to the State on 6-7-2018, there was no
response from the State.
4. UPA at the time of
bifurcation, the special category status was not recommended in AP Reorgazation
Act.
Chandrababu Naidu was actually not quite in favour of special category
status at the start from 2014 till March 2018.
On 26th January 2017, there was a protest by Pawan Kalyan of
Jana Sena Party and Jagan Mohan Reddy of YSRCongress Party at Ramakrishna
Mission Beach at Visakapatinam. At that time, Naidu spoke against the protest
and said that there was no need for it as the state can be benefitted with
Special Package instead of Special Category. (not in the letter.)
Further Naidu hailed the special
package announced by the NDA government on the floor of the Assembly, in party
meetings, public forums and press conferences, and even declared that Special
Category Status was not a panacea and did not help states with such status to
develop.
Even on the floor of
the assembly on March 16, 2017, Naidu hailed the special package and declared
that every benefit that would have come under SCS to the State, would accrue
through the special economic package.
In fact, the Andhra Pradesh Assembly had passed a resolution thanking the
Central Government for approving a special economic package for the state.
In fact, he had declared that special package was better than special
status and also ridiculed his political opponents by asking what was the
present status of the states which were given special status for the past many
years and why did they not develop?
The TDP leader also dismissed the claims of other parties that special
category status would entail special tax incentives to the state and went to
the extent of challenging them to prove their claim.
U-Turn of Naidu came after March 2018 by asking his central ministers to
resign from the cabinet and started taking up the Special Status Category to
Andhra Pradesh to the streets including his one day dharna at New Delhi which
was supported by Congress and other opposition parties.
Although the AP
Reorganization Act provided a window period of 10 years for implementing
various provisions, the NDA government not only speedily sanctioned a record
number of educational, developmental and other infrastructure-related projects,
but also released funds for executing them. Never in the history of independent
India have so many projects been sanctioned in such short span of time to a
single state by the Centre. This fact in itself speaks volumes about the
commitment and sincerity of the NDA government towards developing Andhra
Pradesh.
As per Section 93 of
AP Reorganization Act, the Central Government is committed to all necessary
measures as enumerated in the 13th Schedule for the progress and
sustainable development of successor states within a period of 10 years. But,
if the provisions of funds and sanction of projects are taken into account so
far, there should be no grudge on the part of the Modi government in speeding
up in meeting the aspirations of Andhra Government.
The following
information will indicate that Modi Government had not let down Andhra Pradesh
Government in extending financial support:
v
The Modi Government
even in its very first cabinet meeting in May 2014 had approved an ordinance
for transfer of in 222 villages in seven mandals in two districts to pave way
for the execution of the Polavaram project.
v
The Centre also
notified tax incentives in seven backward districts under section
32(1)(iia) and section 32AD of the Income-Tax Act. Accordingly, any
manufacturing undertaking set up from April 1, 2015 to March 31, 2020 in these
districts is eligible for 15% of higher additional depreciation and 15% of
investment allowance on the cost of plant and machinery acquired by it during
that period.
v
Several projects not
mentioned in the AP Reorganization Act were also sanctioned. (Listed in the
letter).
v
The Union Government
also went out of its way to approve Special Assistance Measure to Andhra
Pradesh by way of special dispensation in funding of Externally Aided Projects
(EAP). In an incredibly quick time, several projects were sanctioned under this
special assistance. The state did not exploit full potential of the offer, and
failed to submit the adequate proposals.
Telugu Desam Party was
started by N.T. Rama Rao in 1984 to dethrone Congress Government and he had
succeeded. But, Rama Rao’s Government was dismissed by Indra Congress
Government, when he was taking treatment at USA. On landing at Hyderabad
Airport, he, in the wheel chair, fought and won and he, as a true fighter,
became the Chief Minister of Andhra.
Hence the Telegu Desam
Party’s foundation was anti-congress, but, now Naidu’s Telugu Desam’s Party is
colluding with the same Congress party to defeat the Modi Government on the
ground that Modi Government had not granted the special Status for Andhra.
The real reasons may
be that as his opponents are spearheading the issue of Special Status for
Andhra Pradesh which seems to gain support, Naidu is taking a political
decision with a view to weaken his opponents’ stands.
How Naidu’s U-Turn
Strategy is going to help him can be known only after the election results.
But, one thing is
quite evident and certain. Having all along not demanding a special status but
actually approving special package instead, his sincerity and credibility are
at a discount that may not fetch him votes.
Naidu is also not
prepared to align with Congress after the same alliance got defeated in the
neighboring Telangana State. Naidu had become a confused Politian slowly moving
towards his downfall.
Time will tell what is
in store for him, but, future is not rosy for Naidu.
Amit Shaw's Letter for your ready reference:
AN
OPEN LETTER TO PEOPLE OF ANDHRA PRADESH
DESPERATE HISTRIONICS
BY TDP LEADER TO MISLEAD PEOPLE OF ANDHRA PRADESH
My Dear People of
Andhra Pradesh,
The Telugu Desam
leader and AP Chief Minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu is back to theatrics and
histrionics. His desperation for grabbing headlines is understandable as he is
aware that his political fortunes are declining rapidly.
Shri Naidu knows that
he has lost complete credibility among the people of Andhra Pradesh and as a
result is announcing a series of sops to woo different sections. Sensing defeat
in the coming elections, he has made multiple U-turns and is carrying on a malicious
propaganda against the Centre and BJP leadership to divert people’s attention
from his failures. He is going too far by personally attacking Prime Minister
Shri Narendra Modi, and even did not have the courtesy to receive the Hon’ble
Prime Minister when he came to the state.
However, the
enlightened and politically conscious people will see through his desperation
to retain power. They will teach a befitting lesson to him in the coming
elections for having joined hands with the Congress, which has bifurcated the
state in a unilateral, hasty and unscientific manner, ignoring the interests of
the state. People will always remember that Congress had dethroned former Chief
Minister, Shri N T Rama Rao in a most undemocratic manner in 1984.
In his lust for power,
the TDP leader has destroyed the very anti-Congress foundation on which the
party was built by its founder, Shri N T Rama Rao. Congress betrayed the people
of Andhra Pradesh while dividing the state and now TDP leader wants to work for
bringing back Congress to power. His actions smack of political opportunism.
He hailed the special
package announced by the NDA government on the floor of the Assembly, in party
meetings, public forums and press conferences, and even declared that Special
Category Status was not a panacea and did not help states with such status to
develop. At that time other parties demanded Special Category Status, he called
them names arrested many people agitating for such status. However, he made a
complete U-turn and is today raising this issue himself. Unnerved by the
prospect of TDP facing an uncertain electoral future, he is resorting to cheap
gimmicks, distorting facts and misleading the people of Andhra Pradesh by
making patently false accusations against the BJP-led NDA government and Prime
Minister, Shri Narendra Modi.
It should be noted
that Congress never bothered about the aspirations of the people of Telangana,
coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions of the erstwhile Andhra Pradesh state.
Had there been even an
iota of sincerity towards the people of Andhra Pradesh, UPA would have included
the provision of ‘Special Category Status’ in AP Reorganization Act. Similarly,
why did it not facilitate speedier implementation of Polavaram project by
transferring the seven mandals located in Khammam district to Andhra Pradesh?
Why did it not promulgate an ordinance in this regard? Let Shri Naidu and the
Congress answer the above questions before accusing anybody. Till then, they
have no moral right to criticize the Central Government.
Unlike UPA, the Modi
Government in its very first cabinet meeting in May 2014 had approved an
ordinance for transfer of in 222 villages in seven mandals in two districts to
pave way for the execution of the Polavaram project. Shri Naidu falsely, as is
his typical habit, falsely claims credit for what the Central Government has
done solely on its own initiative. Also the Polavaram Ordinance Bill was passed
in the first Parliament session after NDA assumed power. Not only that,
Polavaram was declared as a national project and the execution of the project
was handed over to AP Government at the request of Shri Chandrababu Naidu,
which was unprecedented. These actions spoke more loudly than words about the
sincerity of NDA government towards people of Andhra Pradesh.
As committed in the
Act, Polavaram irrigation project has been declared as National Project.
Further, it has been decided to provide 100% of the remaining cost of
Irrigation Component of the project for the period starting from 1.4.2014, to
the extent of the Cost of Irrigation Component on that date and till date Rs.
6,764.70 crores has been released.
Shri Naidu is probably
under an illusion that people will believe whatever he alleges with regard to
the fulfilment of the provisions contained in the AP Reorganization Act. In
fact, the Modi Government has not only implemented most of the assurances in a
record time, but also walked an extra mile to fast-track the progress of Andhra
Pradesh. It has accorded highest priority to handholding Andhra Pradesh.
As his wont, Shri
Naidu indulged in political skulduggery, back-stabbed his allies and violated
the principles of coalition dharma. Ever since he had snapped ties with NDA for
his own political survival, he has been letting loose a deluge of disinformation
against the NDA government. In a bid to cover up his own failures and inability
to implement the populist promises made by him to the people, he has been
blaming the Centre without any rhyme or reason. It is pertinent to
mention here that at a meeting of the NDA in 2017, Shri Naidu himself took the
lead and moved the resolution that the coalition should fight the next
elections in 2019 under the leadership of Shri Modi by highlighting the
development agenda of the NDA.
We are aware that Shri
Chandrababu Naidu has Congress blood in him. But we never expected that he will
go to the extent of even surpassing the Congress in speaking lies and untruths
and in carrying a hate campaign against the Central Government, the Prime
Minister and the BJP.
We were particularly
shocked at the manner in which he started spreading canards to justify his
U-turn after having realized that he was bound to lose the upcoming elections
as he had failed to keep up promises.
What is even more
shocking is the manner in which Shri Naidu is twisting facts about assistance
provided by the Centre to the Andhra Pradesh government. On many occasions, he
had endorsed the special package announced by the Centre in lieu of special
category status.
I would like to recall
that Shri Naidu that had hailed the special package on the floor of the
assembly on Mar 16, 2017 and said that every benefit that would have come under
SCS to the state, would accrue through the special economic package.
In fact, the Andhra
Pradesh Assembly had passed a resolution thanking the Central Government for
approving a special economic package for the state.
At that time, Shri
Naidu had also called a meeting of senior leaders of his party and hailed the
benefits of the special package and categorically stated that special category
status was not a panacea. He reiterated the same in the Assembly also.
In fact, he had
declared that special package was better than special status and also ridiculed
his political opponents by asking what was the present status of the states
which were given special status for the past many years and why did they not
develop?
The TDP leader also
dismissed the claims of other parties that special category status would entail
special tax incentives to the state and went to the extent of challenging them
to prove their claim.
Now with the support
of a section of willing media, he has been indulging in false propaganda at all
forums and virtually made the TDP subservient to the Congress. Let me also
remind all Telugu people of Andhra Pradesh that in the past Shri Naidu had
lambasted the Congress President, Shri Rahul Gandhi for visiting Andhra Pradesh
and questioned the purpose of his visit.
Apparently, panic has
set in now and the TDP leader is scared that his omissions and commissions
would be exposed. That’s why, he is going to the extent of accepting the
leadership of the Congress Party which has ruled and ruined the country,
compromised the integrity of every institution and is neck-deep in scams and
scandals.
The TDP leader joined
hands with a party which had imposed Emergency and had dismissed his
father-in-law—the popularly elected Telugu Desam founder and former Chief
Minister, Shri N T Rama Rao in 1984.
I appeal to the
enlightened Telugu people to see the evil designs of the Telugu Desam leadership
which is burying the basic principles on which Telugu Desam was founded.
Although the AP
Reorganization Act provided a window period of 10 years for implementing
various provisions, the NDA government not only speedily sanctioned a record
number of educational, developmental and other infrastructure-related projects,
but also released funds for executing them. Never in the history of independent
India have so many projects been sanctioned in such short span of time to a
single state by the Centre. This fact in itself speaks volumes about the
commitment and sincerity of the NDA government towards developing Andhra
Pradesh.
As per Section 93 of
AP Reorganization Act, the Central Government is committed to all necessary
measures as enumerated in the 13th Schedule for the progress and
sustainable development of successor states within a period of 10 years.
Of the 11 new
educational institutions under the Act’s 13th Schedule (Section 93), as
many as ten institutions have started functioning much ahead of the stipulated
schedule. A Tribal University is also coming up. The teninstitutions are IIT,
NIT, IIM, IISER, IIIT, AIIMS, Central University, Petroleum University,
Agricultural University, and National Institute of Disaster Management NIDM
As regards eight
infrastructure projects, Government of India had to “examine” the
“feasibility” of six projects within six months from the appointed date and
initiate action on two others within 10 years. Following feasibility studies,
action has been initiated on five projects.Despite non viability of the three
other projects the government of India is exploring other alternatives.
A greenfield
petrochemical complex is proposed to be established at Kakinada by HPCL-GAIL.
The Central Public Sector Enterprises have proposed to invest more than a lakh
crore in Andhra Pradesh. These includeGreenfield petrochemical complex at an
estimated cost of Rs. 39,145 crore. GAIL and HPCL have already signed an MoU
with AP Government in this regard.
The Government has
decided to expeditiously take up the Vizag-Chennai industrial corridor. In
the very first phase, 800-kilometer long Vizag-Chennai Industrial Corridor
(VCIC) segment of East Coast Economic Corridor was taken up. ADB approved
US $ 631 million (loans and grants) for VCIC and released US $ 370 million as
the first tranche. Krishnapatnam-Chennai-Bengaluru growth corridor was
sanctioned.
Apart from upgrading
Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada and Tirupati airports to International airports, the
night landing facility at Rajahmundry Airport was made operational and the
runway expansion is going on with great speed. In Kadapa Airport, the runway
was expanded and a new Terminal Building was inaugurated.
Similarly, rapid rail
and road connectivity from the new capital of the successor state of Andhra
Pradesh to Hyderabad and other important cities of Andhra Pradesh is being
taken up. NHAI has agreed to Rs. 20,000 crores for a 384 km
Anantapur-Amaravati expressway and Rs. 19,700 crores for outer ring road to
capital town of Amaravati. The revival of Buckingham Canal at a cost of Rs.
7,015 crores is another major project to improve inland water transport
facilities. Road and inland transport projects worth more than Rs. 1 lakh
crores have been approved. Later, Shri Naidu publicly thanked the Centre for
the same.
For better Rail
connectivity in the region, project worth Rs. 50,000 crores have been
sanctioned, which are at various stages of execution. 2,584 km of railway lines
are being doubled with an outlay of Rs. 23,137 crores. 2,213 km of new lines
are being laid at a cost of 20,301 crores. 15 new projects have been sanctioned
with an outlay of Rs. 26,403 crores. The work of new line between Vijayawada
and Guntur via Amaravati has been sanctioned in 2017-18 at a cost of Rs.
2,679.59 crores which provides connectivity to the new capital city, Amaravati.
The other main projects include a 309 km long new line Nadikude-Srikalahasti at
a cost of Rs. 2,289 Cr, Guntakal-Guntur (401 km) doubling project with
electrification at a cost of Rs. 3,631 Cr. AP Express, Super-fast daily train
Visakhapatnam-Delhi,Humsafar Non-Daily Express trains Vijayawada-Howrah and
Tirupati-Jammutawi are running.
Rs. 2,500 crores
assistance for Capital City, for development of essential infrastructure etc
has been provided. A record number of houses for the poor were sanctioned – the
highest ever for any state -11.29lakh houses under the PMAY-Urban programme.
Also four Smart Cities and several projects under AMRUT scheme for development
of urban infrastructure were sanctioned. Amaravati has been included
under Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY) for
holistic development.
Rs. 1,050 crores
development grant for 7 backward districts of the state covering Rayalaseema
and North Coastal Region has been provided.
The Centre also
notified tax incentives in seven backward districts under section
32(1)(iia) and section 32AD of the Income-Tax Act.
Accordingly, any
manufacturing undertaking set up from April 1, 2015 to March 31, 2020 in these
districts is eligible for 15% of higher additional depreciation and 15% of
investment allowance on the cost of plant and machinery acquired by it during
that period.
The Centre also
extended support to make Andhra Pradesh surplusin power and ended the chronic
power shortage and power cuts that plagued the state. This was made possible
due to the launch of ‘Power for All’ and Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana (at a
benefit of Rs. 4,400 crore). The Government also sanctionedSolar Parks and
Ultra Mega Solar Power Project at a cost of about Rs. 24,000 crore. 2.2 crores
LED bulbs were provided to consumers saving Rs. 1,100 crores for consumers
annually. In addition, 23.8 lakh streetlights were replaced with LED
streetlights saving taxpayers money by reducing cost.
The Government of India
after examining the feasibility reports of Metro Rails for Vishakhapatnam and
Vijayawada-Guntur-Tenali Metropolitan Urban Development Authority wanted to
implement these projects in the quickest possible time. The revised proposals
for both the projects are awaited from AP government.
As regards
Duggirajupatnam project, it was found to be unviableand the AP government was
asked to suggest an alternative site. The state Government has still not come
forward with a proposal. In a bid to hoodwink people, Shri Naidu laid the
foundation stone as a minor port for Ramayanapatnam project without financial
support.
After SAIL had
declared the proposal to set up a steel plant at Kadapa as unviable, the Centre
constituted a Task Force, which held consultations with the state Government
and wanted to take it up under PPP mode with support from both state and
Centre. However, Shri Naidu indulged in political one-upmanship and laid
foundation stone without financial allocation.
The issue of
establishing a new railway zone was studied by a Railways committee and is
under examination due to the operational complexities and inter-state issues.
The infrastructure
projects will get off the ground soon and get completed even before the
stipulated time of 10 years mentioned in the Act.
As regards
granting Special Category Status to Andhra Pradesh, the Centre has
been constrained by the recommendations of the 14th Finance Commission,
which did not make a distinction between special and general category states
for financial support and tax devolution. As a result, the Centre in
consultation with the state Government worked out special assistance for AP.
The Central Government
has agreed to give a special assistance measure forAndhra Pradesh for five
years, which would make up for the additional Central share the state might
have received during these years, i.e. 2015-16 to 2019-20, as envisaged in the
then Prime Minister’s statement dated 20.2.2014.
This will be in the
form of Central Government funding for externally aided projects for Andhra
Pradesh.In view of the FRBM limits of the state, the Centre wanted the state
Government to create a SPV so that money can be transferred to the SPV. This
was conveyed by the Centre to the state government officials during their
discussions on February 6–7, 2018. Still the response from the state government
is awaited.
In view of the special
circumstances in which Andhra Pradesh found itself following the bifurcation,
the Central Government went beyond the provisions contained in the Act.
In fact, various
Ministries have been requested to give additional and special projects to
Andhra Pradesh and more than Rs. 3 lakh crores worth of such projects (along
with those mentioned in the AP Reorganization Act 2014) are being implemented
in the state. In fact, several projects not mentioned in the AP Reorganization
Act were also sanctioned.
The Union Government
also went out of its way to approve Special Assistance Measure to Andhra
Pradesh by way of special dispensation in funding of Externally Aided Projects
(EAP). In an incredibly quick time, several projects were sanctioned under this
special assistance. The state did not exploit full potential of the offer, and
failed to submit the adequate proposals.
National Council of
Education Research and Training (NCERT) and National Investment Manufacturing
Zones (NIMZ) were approved much earlier but these projects could not progress
as the needed land is yet to be allocated by state government.
RINL and GoAP signed
MOU that envisages investment of around Rs. 38,500 crores to take up various
projects at Visakhapatnam with an employment opportunity to around 3,000
people.
A separate High Court
for Andhra Pradesh has already started functioning from January this year.
The Centre paved the
way for the development of capital city by denotifying forest land in the
capital region following a request from the Government of Andhra Pradesh.
A total amount of Rs.
1,37,977.25 crores has been released so far as per recommendations of the 14th
Finance Commission. As regards revenue deficit for 2013-14, the Central
Government has arrived at an amount of Rs. 4,117.89 crores as Resource Gap for
that year and an amount of Rs. 3,979.50 crores has already been released to
Andhra Pradesh.
Various Ministries
have sanctioned and approved additional projects to Andhra Pradesh with an
outlay of more than Rs. 3 lakh crores. This illustrates the
extraordinary manner in which the Government of India prioritized Andhra
Pradesh in its assistance.
Below are the list of
institutions and projects that are sanctioned or approved, and are at various
stages ofcompletion, which being taken up as for all round development of
Andhra Pradesh in addition to those mentioned in AP Reorganization Act.
·
National
Academy of Customs, Excise and Narcotics at Palasmudram , Anantapur district;
·
Central
Institute of Plastics Engineering and Technology at Surampalli Vijayawada;
·
NIOT
Ocean Research facility at Thupilipallam, Nellore district;
·
Regional
Institute of Education,
(NCERT) Nellore (land yet to allotted by state);
·
MSME
Technology Centre at Pudi,
Visakhapatnam;
·
National
Kamadhenu Breeding Centre at
Chintaladevi, Nellore District;
·
Indian
Culinary Institute at Tirupathi;
·
Regional
Centre for Mental Health and Rehabilitation at Nellore;
·
Doordarshan
Kendra at Vijayawada;
·
All
India Radio station at Vijayawada;
·
New
Regional Passport Office at Vijayawada;
·
Passport
Seva Kendra at Bhimavaram;
· School
of Planning and Architecture at Vijayawada inaugurated, sanctioned in 2008 but on which no
progress was made for nearly 10 years;
·
BEL
Night Vision devices manufacturing at Nimmakuru;
· BEL
Missile manufacturing plant Pala Samudram, Anantapur District;
·
Naval
Alternative Operational Base in Rambilli;
·
Naval
Air Station in Bobbili at
advance stage of planning;
·
DRDO
Missile Test Facility at Nagaylanka;
·
National
Open Air Range Evaluation Centre in Kurnool district at a cost of Rs. 500 crores;
·
Troops
Training Centre in Chittoor with
an outlay of Rs. 500 crores;
·
Multi
modal logistic hub at
Vishakhapatnam;
·
Container
freight station at Visakhapatnam;
·
Multimodal
logistic park at Kakinada;
·
Spices
Park at Guntur;
· SAMEER-A Centre for Electromagnetic
Environmental Effects at Vishakhapatnam;
·
MOU signed by RINL and
GoAP for expansion of Vizag steel plant with an outlay of Rs.
38,500 crores;
· Greenfield
Electronics Manufacturing Cluster being setup in Chittoor district;
· Central
Research Institute for Yoga and Naturopathy is being set up in Krishna District;
· Under
Swadesh Darshan, Kakinada Hope Island Coastal Tourism Circuit and Nellore
Coastal Tourism Circuit;
·
Asia’s
first medical devices manufacturing hub atat Vishakhapatnam.
In the end, I would
like to say to all of you that Shri Chandrababu Naidu has broken the trust of
the people of Andhra Pradesh. His delusional politics is about to end. Our full
faith and belief is in ‘सत्यमेव जयते’. Let us jointly contribute to the
development of Andhra Pradesh and India.
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