India

Ahmedabad, Oct 6 (IANS) The Gujarat government is considering suggestions from the legal fraternity on the Gujarat Rent Bill, 2026, and is looking at ways to address the concerns raised by lawyers before deciding on the next course of action, Advocate General Kamal Trivedi confirmed on Tuesday.

Approaching Trivedi on the dissent among lawyers, he said the state government is "favorably considering" the concerns of lawyers and is seeking their suggestions, particularly on the proposed transfer of rent-related disputes from courts to administrative authorities.

"The government is favourably considering to see that the anxiety of the lawyers' fraternity is taken care of," the Advocate General told IANS, adding that the state government was considering suggestions from lawyers before taking any step, including possible amendments to the legislation.

The clarification comes a day after Trivedi told the Gujarat High Court that the state government had assured members of the Bar Council of Gujarat (BCG) that it would seek to resolve the issue and that the Bill would not proceed in its present form.

Trivedi, however, clarified that his remarks before the court should not be read as a formal government commitment that the Governor would not sign the Bill.

He said the discussion he had with the judge was a general conversation after the court sought to know why lawyers were on strike and was not a formal statement recorded by the court on the Bill.

"The crux of the matter lies in the fact that on Sunday there was a meeting where all the members of the body which had given a call for a strike were convinced that the government is interested to see that this is put an end to," he added.

According to Trivedi, a meeting was held on Sunday in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi and members of the BCG.

He said that the members agreed that the state government is open to considering their concerns and that a further meeting with Ministers and officials is to be held later on Tuesday.

Trivedi said the lawyers' principal objection is to the proposed jurisdiction of revenue authorities over rent disputes.

Under the new framework, disputes that were earlier dealt with by Small Causes Courts would be handled by designated administrative authorities, with appeals provided at subsequent levels.

"Their basic issues are that we don't want to go before the revenue authorities," Trivedi said.

He noted that the state government could consider bringing back the earlier framework with improvements to address shortcomings in the existing law.

"The government can think of coming out with an old law with some more improvements," he said.

Trivedi also questioned the decision of the BCG to continue with the strike despite October 4 meeting.

He said that all members present had agreed to wait for the government's response and that he had personally requested Senior Advocate Yatin Oza, President of the Gujarat High Court Advocates’ Association, not to proceed with the boycott.

"I would say this: despite that fact, the body which had given a call perhaps failed to see that they do not go ahead with that. That is unfortunate. My only way of telling was that the strike should not have been there," he told IANS.

The clarification assumes significance as the Gujarat High Court and other courts witnessed disruption on Monday after lawyers across the state abstained from work.

The BCG had called for the statewide boycott after several bar associations had protested against the Bill for days.

The Gujarat High Court Advocates' Association also announced a two-day boycott on October 5 and 6.

The dispute centres on the Gujarat Rent Bill, 2026, which was passed by the state Legislative Assembly on September 11.

The legislation seeks to replace the Gujarat Rents, Hotel and Lodging House Rates Control Act, 1947, with a new framework for regulating tenancy and resolving landlord-tenant disputes.

Under the proposed system, rent-related disputes would be handled through designated rent authorities and rent courts rather than the existing Small Causes Court mechanism.

The Bill provides for authorities led by officers of specified administrative ranks, while appeals would be heard by Rent Tribunals led by District Judges or Additional District Judges.

Lawyers have opposed the transfer of adjudicatory powers to revenue and other administrative authorities, saying that matters involving evidence and judicial determination should continue to be dealt with by courts.

The BCG has said the change would affect lawyers, litigants and the public and has sought restoration of judicial jurisdiction over rent disputes.

The government's position, as conveyed by Trivedi, is that it is not closing the door on changes to the proposed legislation and will consider the legal fraternity's suggestions.

--IANS

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Bhubaneswar, Oct 6 (IANS) The office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Odisha, on Tuesday announced the launch of a three-day special campaign to facilitate the inclusion of eligible voters left out of the electoral roll during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR)-2026 due to various reasons, as well as newly eligible young voters.

The statewide campaign will be held on October 7, 8 and 9 to make the electoral roll more accurate, transparent and updated, the CEO's office said.

It also stated that eligible young men and women who have attained the age of 18 years as on October 1, 2026, can apply for inclusion of their names in the electoral roll through Form 6 with their respective Booth Level Officers (BLOs).

Similarly, eligible voters whose names could not be included in the final electoral roll during the SIR-2026 process for any reason can also apply for inclusion during the special campaign.

As part of the exercise, lists of deceased, shifted, absent and duplicate voters identified during the SIR process will be made available on the websites of the concerned districts and the CEO, Odisha.

The lists will also be provided to representatives of all recognised political parties for verification.

The CEO's office pointed out that eligible voters whose names have been erroneously included in the lists of deceased, shifted, absent and duplicate voters will have an opportunity to file claims and objections.

Political parties will also be able to verify the lists and submit necessary claims and objections.

The exercise is aimed at ensuring that eligible persons are included in the electoral roll while identifying and correcting ineligible or inconsistent entries.

The CEO's office has also provided necessary training to BLOs at the district level on the inclusion of eligible voters left out of the roll and newly eligible young voters.

The BLOs have been directed to provide assistance and guidance to eligible voters in their respective areas regarding registration and submission of applications.

The CEO's office has urged eligible voters whose names were left out during SIR-2026, newly eligible young voters, and all other eligible persons to take advantage of the three-day special campaign beginning on October 7 and apply through Form 6.

The campaign aims to further strengthen the preparation of a transparent, accurate, inclusive and updated electoral roll in Odisha, the CEO's office said.

--IANS

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Mumbai, Oct 6 (IANS) The Enforcement Directorate (ED), Mumbai Zonal Office, has filed a third supplementary charge sheet against Mehmood Abdul Samad Bhagad, alias Challenger King, before the Special Court (PMLA), Mumbai, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, the agency said in a statement.

The chargesheet, filed on October 1, 2026, alleges his key role in an organised syndicate that misused stolen identities to open mule bank accounts for routing proceeds from cyber fraud and illegal online gaming and betting activities.

The ED probe was initiated by an FIR registered at Malegaon Chhawani Police Station in Nashik and later re-registered by the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), Maharashtra. The case centres on the deposit of more than Rs 100 crore into newly opened accounts with the Nashik Merchant Co-operative Bank (NAMCO Bank) in Malegaon.

Investigators found that, on Bhagad’s instructions, other accused persons set up shell entities and opened multiple bank accounts that together received over Rs 157 crore. These funds were layered through successive sets of shell-entity accounts controlled by Bhagad. Hundreds of crores were subsequently withdrawn by co-accused and moved through hawala channels to other locations.

The ED has detailed the modus operandi of money laundering through trading in USDT (Tether), a cryptocurrency. Bhagad and his associates allegedly sold the cryptocurrency to individuals involved in cyber fraud and illegal online gaming and betting. In return, those persons deposited Indian rupees into mule accounts under Bhagad’s control.

Earlier searches conducted by the ED at premises in Surat, Malegaon, Ahmedabad and Mumbai led to the recovery of incriminating documents, seizure of approximately Rs 15 crore in cash and freezing of Rs 34 crore lying in multiple bank accounts. A provisional attachment order was also issued for movable and immovable properties valued at Rs 95 lakh.

So far, the agency has arrested six persons in the case. It has filed one prosecution complaint and two supplementary complaints; the Special Court (PMLA) has taken cognisance of all of them.

The ED stated that it remains steadfast in its mission to trace and dismantle illicit financial networks and ensure strict enforcement of the PMLA, 2002. Further investigation in the matter is in progress.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Oct 6 (IANS) The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) has issued an order mandating expansion of Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) cameras at industries in the National Capital Region (NCR) to ensure real-time monitoring of fuel consumption and compliance with its directions to check pollution, an official said on Tuesday.

The measure is aimed at strengthening vigilance, monitoring and compliance by industries, particularly in view of the adverse impact of industrial emissions on air quality in the NCR and adjoining areas, which assumes greater significance during the winter months, the official said in a statement.

Considering the poor air quality in Delhi-NCR and with a view to ensure strict vigilance, monitoring and compliance through self-regulation, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) had earlier directed installation of PTZ cameras along with real-time Online Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems (OCEMS) by industries.

The prescribed locations for installation of PTZ cameras include capturing the OCEMS port-hole as well as flue gas emissions from the stack in case of textile and food processing units having boilers and capturing fume extraction system areas and furnace feeding areas in metal units, the statement said.

In view of the persistent use of unapproved fuels, the Commission has expanded the areas to be captured by PTZ cameras at industrial units to make the coverage comprehensive and for effective monitoring and compliance.

Apart from the locations of PTZ cameras already prescribed by CPCB, the Commission has directed that industries will now also install additional PTZ cameras by October 31, as per the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), the statement said.

The order also mandates CPCB and the concerned State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs)/Delhi Pollution Control Board (DPCC) to develop portals and other necessary infrastructure to capture the real-time streaming of video feeds. This will facilitate remote monitoring of fuel-use practices by industries and help in ensuring the compliance of Commission's statutory directions.

The status of implementation of the said measures must be submitted to the Commission by the concerned SPCBs/DPCC by November 1.

In the light of pollution caused by industrial emissions, the Commission had also prescribed a standard list of approved fuels for NCR for various applications, including industrial use.

"However, the Flying Squads of the Commission, during incognito inspections of industries across the NCR, have reported use of unapproved fuels in multiple instances. In view of the persistent use of unapproved fuels, the Commission has considered real-time monitoring of fuel consumption by industries necessary," it said.

--IANS

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Jaipur, Oct 6 (IANS) Rajasthan Police in Ajmer district have arrested a proclaimed offender and alleged dacoit who had been absconding for 26 years in connection with a dacoity case dating back to 2000.

The arrest was made as part of a special campaign launched by Rajasthan Police Headquarters to apprehend wanted criminals, individuals facing arrest warrants and proclaimed offenders. The campaign is being conducted from September 15 to October 15, 2026.

According to police, the accused, identified as Dalla alias Ramesh/Dalla Baria, allegedly committed a dacoity with his accomplices at the Vaishno Devi Petrol Pump on NH-8 within the Mangliyawas police station area on April 3, 2000.

The gang reportedly fled with Rs 1,64,513 in cash.

While several co-accused, including Ramsan alias Kalla, Bapu alias Bhaniya, Pau alias Babu, Ojinu alias Jinu, Dhuliya and Nahariya, were arrested and charge sheets were subsequently filed in court, Dalla remained absconding for 26 years.

A standing arrest warrant had also been issued against him by the Judicial Magistrate First Class, Nasirabad.

Following directions from Ajmer Superintendent of Police Harsh Vardhan Agrawala, a special team was formed under the leadership of Mangliyawas SHO Harish Chaudhary.

The operation was conducted under the direction of Additional Superintendent of Police (Rural) Lalchand Kayal and the supervision of Circle Officers Satyendra Negi (Rural) and Neeraj Gupta (Pisangan).

The police team conducted an extensive intelligence-gathering operation in Jhabua district of Madhya Pradesh, where the accused was believed to have been living.

Officers reportedly camped in disguise in villages including Negadiya, Mahendikheda and Sulla Mehuda, which fall under the Kalyanpur police station area.

After gathering information about the accused's movements, the team launched a raid and apprehended him.

According to police, Dalla initially attempted to mislead officers about his identity. However, after technical verification and questioning, his identity was established.

With assistance from Kalyanpur police and local villagers, he was identified as Dalla alias Ramesh/Dalla Baria, son of Kodia alias Sumla Baria, aged 50, a resident of Negadiya in the Kalyanpur police station area of Jhabua district.

He was subsequently arrested on the basis of the outstanding warrant and brought into police custody.

The arrest brings to an end the 26-year-long absconding period of the prime accused in the 2000 Mangliyawas dacoity case.

--IANS

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Bhubaneswar, Oct 6 (IANS) The Odisha State Election Commission (SEC) on Tuesday held a meeting with representatives of various political parties to discuss the preparation of a transparent, impartial and error-free electoral roll for the upcoming Panchayat and Municipal Elections-2027.

According to an official statement, representatives of various recognised political parties attended the meeting chaired by State Election Commissioner Madhusudan Padhi and shared their views and suggestions on the preparation of the electoral roll for the upcoming elections.

During the meeting, the political party representatives were briefed about the house-to-house survey scheduled to begin across the state from October 26.

"Through this survey, the electoral roll will be made more accurate, updated and error-free," the official statement said, adding that it would also help ensure the proper inclusion of eligible voters' names in the list and verification of information related to ineligible, shifted or deceased voters.

The SEC, Odisha, urged all political parties to cooperate in the house-to-house survey process actively.

In particular, the Commission asked each political party to deploy its Booth Level Agents (BLAs) at all polling stations across the state and ensure their active participation during the survey.

The political parties have also been requested to submit details of their BLAs by October 15 to the Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs).

In rural areas, the details are to be submitted to the respective BDOs, while in NACs and municipalities they are to be submitted to the Executive Officers. In municipal corporations, the details are to be submitted to the Deputy Commissioners/Assistant Commissioners.

"An accurate and error-free electoral roll is the foundation of a healthy and transparent electoral system," said State Election Commissioner Madhusudan Padhi.

He said that, at every stage of electoral roll preparation, importance would be given to transparency, impartiality and everyone's participation.

Padhi also expressed the hope that, with the active cooperation of political parties, the electoral roll could be made more credible and error-free.

The meeting also discussed various aspects of the house-to-house survey, including cooperation from voters, collection of information by survey teams, and the addition, deletion and correction of names in the electoral roll.

The Commission urged all stakeholders to remain vigilant and extend cooperation to ensure that no eligible person is left out of the electoral roll and no ineligible person is included.

Representatives of political parties offered suggestions on the preparation of the electoral roll for the forthcoming Panchayat and Urban Local Body elections. They assured the Commission of their cooperation in the house-to-house survey.

The State Election Commission noted that the entire electoral roll preparation process would be carried out as per the prescribed rules and guidelines.

--IANS

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Ahmedabad, Oct 6 (IANS) The Bar Council of Gujarat on Tuesday announced that the statewide strike by lawyers over the Gujarat Rent Bill-2026 has been deferred after the state government assured it that the provision transferring powers to decide rent disputes from the judiciary to the executive would be withdrawn.

The decision followed a meeting lasting more than an hour between members of the Bar Council of Gujarat, office-bearers of the Ahmedabad Bar Association and Ahmedabad Small Causes Court Bar Association, and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, Advocate General Kamal Trivedi, Chief Government Pleader Gurucharan Shirk, Law Department Secretary U.M. Bhatt, and the Revenue and Home secretaries.

According to a statement issued by the Bar Council, the government proposed forming a committee comprising representatives of the Bar Council, Ahmedabad Bar Association and Ahmedabad Small Causes Court Bar Association.

The committee will be constituted on Wednesday and will discuss the provisions of the proposed legislation with the Law Secretary.

“The government assured that the amendment under which powers were proposed to be taken from the judiciary and given to the executive would be withdrawn and that the powers would remain with the court and the judiciary,” the Bar Council said.

The Council said the committee would examine the shortcomings in the Gujarat Rent Bill, 2026 and submit representations to the government for necessary changes.

The government, in turn, would consider the issues and take steps to resolve them. The decision brings to an end, for now, the indefinite statewide abstention from court proceedings announced by the Bar Council on October 5.

Lawyers had been protesting against provisions that proposed shifting the adjudication of rent-related disputes from judicial forums to administrative authorities.

The Gujarat High Court Advocates' Association had also announced a two-day boycott of court work on October 5 and 6 in support of the agitation.

The proposed legislation had led to court proceedings being disrupted across Gujarat, with lawyers arguing that the transfer of adjudicatory functions to executive authorities would undermine the role of judicial forums in deciding tenancy disputes.

The Gujarat Assembly passed the Gujarat Rent Bill, 2026, in September.

The proposed framework provides for a Rent Authority headed by an officer not below the rank of Deputy Collector or Assistant Municipal Commissioner. In contrast, Rent Courts would be headed by officers not below the rank of Additional Collector or Deputy Municipal Commissioner.

Appeals would be heard by Rent Tribunals headed by District Judges or Additional District Judges. The Bill also proposes written rental agreements and caps security deposits at three months’ rent.

The lawyers’ principal objection, however, centred on the proposed role of executive authorities in adjudicating rent disputes.

The Bar Council had earlier said the transfer would take such matters away from the judiciary and place them before an already burdened bureaucracy.

Apart from the Rent Bill, today's meeting also discussed issues relating to the proposed Advocate Protection Act and various concerns of notaries regarding the issuance of tickets.

With the government agreeing to examine the lawyers’ concerns through the proposed committee, the Bar Council said the statewide strike would be deferred, and lawyers would resume court proceedings from Wednesday.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Oct 6 (IANS) Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other INDIA bloc leaders were released by the Delhi Police on Tuesday evening hours after their detention during an Opposition protest demanding action against the Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, sources said.

The two leaders were among the protesters who gathered near Akashvani Bhawan after being stopped from marching towards the Election Commission's office.

Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, the outgoing chief of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC), was also seen alongside Rahul Gandhi as police officials asked the protesters to end their sit-in.

The police had earlier warned that the demonstration at Akashvani Bhawan would not be permitted to continue through the night.

Protesters were asked to leave the premises, with police saying those who refused would be detained.

Congress had earlier alleged that Delhi Police was attempting to detain Rahul Gandhi and other Opposition MPs from the protest site.

The demonstration is centred on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, with opposition parties also demanding the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar.

Earlier in the day, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and other MPs were stopped on Parliament Street near Akashvani Bhawan and the NITI Aayog office as they attempted to move towards the Election Commission office.

After the police prevented them from proceeding, the leaders sat on the road and continued their protest.

Rahul Gandhi and Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee were later seen climbing over a police barricade.

Priyanka Gandhi was taken to a waiting bus for detention, but she soon stepped out and returned to the protest, joining Rahul Gandhi near the Akashvani gate.

The Congress leaders subsequently entered the Akashvani Bhawan premises through the reception gate despite being stopped by police.

Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and Congress MP Deepender Hooda were later seen sitting under a tree inside the premises.

The protest continued as police sought to clear the area, with the Opposition leaders maintaining their demand for a meeting with the Election Commission over the electoral roll revision exercise.

--IANS

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Gandhinagar, Oct 6 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation virtually on October 7 as Gujarat unit of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) organises a 'Seva Jyoti Kalash Yatra' across all districts and metropolitan areas to mark his completion of 25 years in public life, party leaders said on Tuesday.

PM Modi will address the 'Viksit Bharat Sankalp Sabha' at around 9 a.m. and administer a collective pledge for the creation of 'Viksit Bharat @ 2047'.

The Prime Minister's address will be broadcast live at the departure points of the yatra across the state.

The programme is part of the 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan', being organised to mark 25 years of his public service, first as the Gujarat Chief Minister and subsequently as the country's Prime Minister.

Before PM Modi's address, BJP National President Nitin Nabin will also address the gathering.

Following the Prime Minister's address, local leaders will light the 'Seva Jyot', after which the 'Seva Jyoti Kalash Yatra' will begin from designated locations in each district and metropolitan area.

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel will participate in the Ahmedabad programme at Pujya Pramukh Swami Marg-Riverfront Road near Riverfront House, between Gandhi Bridge and Nehru Bridge.

State BJP President Jagdish Vishwakarma will attend the programme at the Arts and Commerce College on New Civil Hospital Road in Himatnagar of Sabarkantha district.

Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi will participate in the programme at Shri Vardayini Mataji Temple in Rupal village of Gandhinagar district.

State BJP General Secretaries Aniruddh Dave, Prashant Korat, Ajay Brahmbhatt and Hitendrasinh Chouhan will attend programmes in Rajkot, Surat, Ahmedabad and Vadodara respectively.

State Ministers, BJP office-bearers, MPs, MLAs, party leaders, workers and local residents are also expected to participate at designated locations.

Separately, state government spokesperson Minister Jitu Vaghani said the Prime Minister would address the country through the 'Viksit Bharat Sankalp Sabha' and administer a collective pledge for 'Viksit Bharat @ 2047'.

"Programmes had been planned in every district of Gujarat. The yatra would be launched after the Prime Minister's address, with local leaders lighting the 'Seva Jyoti'," he said.

The nationwide 'Seva Sankalp Yatra', which began on September 17, will also conclude on October 7 at Vadnagar in Gujarat and Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, the government said.

The two locations are associated with PM Modi's birthplace and political career.

In Vadnagar, the concluding programme will include a water offering at the historic Hatkeshwar Mahadev Temple.

Chief Minister Patel, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Deputy Chief Minister Sanghavi, State BJP President Vishwakarma and Yatra In-charge V.D. Sharma are scheduled to attend.

"Social activities such as tree plantation, cleanliness drives, water conservation, cow service and services at old-age homes had also been undertaken by young people as part of the campaign," he noted.

--IANS

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Chandigarh, Oct 6 (IANS) Haryana government will pilot an Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)-funded Verbal Autopsy project in Rohtak district to strengthen the availability and quality of information on causes of death, Additional Chief Secretary (Health and Family Welfare) Sumita Misra said on Tuesday.

Rohtak has been selected as the pilot district under an AIIMS, New Delhi-led initiative being implemented in collaboration with the state Health Department.

The project is aimed at generating more systematic cause-of-death information to support health planning and public health decision-making.

Misra said the project will cover approximately 5,000 deaths during its implementation period.

Under the initiative, designated health-system personnel will identify eligible deaths and conduct Verbal Autopsy interviews through a prescribed mobile-based application.

The information collected during the interviews will subsequently be reviewed by a medical officer, who will assign the cause of death according to the prescribed process.

The initiative is intended to supplement routine death reporting by providing information on the circumstances and likely causes of death.

More reliable cause-of-death data can help health authorities understand mortality patterns at the district level and facilitate evidence-based planning and prioritisation of public health interventions.

The project is part of the AIIMS-led ICMR initiative titled, “Implementation and Scaling Up of a Model to Achieve Universal Coverage with Physician-Ascertained Cause of Death at the District Level in India”.

The implementation period is approximately eight months and will be undertaken through the existing health system in coordination with the Rohtak district health administration.

Community Health Officers and Medical Officers will be involved in the exercise.

Under the project, an honorarium of Rs 100 per completed Verbal Autopsy has been earmarked for the Community Health Officer and Rs 100 for the Medical Officer for reviewing the information and assigning the cause of death.

A digital workflow will be followed under the project, with Verbal Autopsy interviews conducted through the prescribed mobile application.

Personnel involved in the exercise will be provided training on the methodology and digital process.

The initiative also seeks to strengthen the capacity of the health workforce in documenting and reporting cause-of-death information.

--IANS

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