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—register-eshram-card-2026 [2026/06/03 17:01] (current) – created - external edit 127.0.0.1
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 +{{htmlmetatags>metatag-keywords=(how to register on E-Shram,E-Shram card 2026,eshram.gov.in,unorganised worker registration,UAN E-Shram,Code on Social Security 2020 section 142,PMSBY accident insurance,PM-JJBY life insurance,gig worker registration,platform worker E-Shram,domestic worker E-Shram,construction worker registration,E-Shram helpline 14434,RTI to Ministry of Labour)&metatag-description=(Step-by-step 2026 guide to registering on the E-Shram portal — National Database of Unorganised Workers under Code on Social Security 2020 §142.)}}
 +
 +====== How to register on E-Shram (unorganised worker UAN card) ======
 +{{ :social:auto:register-eshram-card-2026.png?direct&1200 |How to register on E-Shram 2026 — RTI Wiki citizen guide}}
 +
 +
 +<WRAP info>
 +**Quick answer.** **E-Shram** is the **National Database of Unorganised Workers** of the Ministry of Labour & Employment. Registration is **free**; you get a **12-digit Universal Account Number (UAN)** + a printable **E-Shram Card** for life. The legal anchor is **§142 of the Code on Social Security, 2020** read with the Ministry of Labour notification of August 2021. Eligible: **age 16-59**, an **unorganised worker** (not covered by EPF or ESIC, not a government employee), **not paying income tax**. Includes — agricultural workers, construction workers, domestic workers, street vendors, **gig workers (Zomato, Swiggy, Urban Company, etc.) and platform workers (Ola, Uber)**, head loaders, fishermen, weavers, hawkers, MGNREGA workers, ASHA / Anganwadi workers, beedi workers, and self-employed persons. Apply at **https://eshram.gov.in** with Aadhaar OTP **or** at any **Common Service Centre (CSC)** — both free. Auto-enrolled in **PMSBY (Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana — ₹2 lakh accidental death/disability cover)** for the first year. Once registered, the UAN unlocks PM-JJBY (₹2 lakh life cover, ₹436/year), state-specific welfare schemes, future Centre/State benefits routed via the unorganised worker database, and DBT for any disaster / labour relief.
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +===== Sushila's story — "₹2 lakh PMSBY claim that paid for my son's surgery" =====
 +
 +<WRAP center round box 80%>
 +//Sushila Jadhav, 41, domestic worker in Pune. Works in three apartments in Aundh and Baner — total monthly earning around ₹14,000. Husband Suresh, 44, drives a delivery scooter for a small kirana chain (also unorganised; ~₹16,000/month). Son Akash, 22, also drives delivery part-time for Zomato while finishing his BCom from a distance university.//
 +
 +> "August 2023. The CSC didi at the corner of our chawl told me — 'E-Shram card banao, kuch nahi lagta, beemar pad gaye toh Rs 2 lakh ka cover free milega'. I went, took my Aadhaar, the bank passbook of my Bank of Maharashtra account (Aadhaar already seeded — for the gas subsidy years ago). Operator filled the form on his computer. Aadhaar OTP came on my mobile. Asked my work — 'Domestic worker'. Skill — 'Cooking, cleaning'. Nominee — my husband. Submitted. **12-digit UAN generated in 2 minutes.** Got the E-Shram card printed on plain A4 — Rs 20 to the operator. Same day, my husband and son also did theirs. PMSBY cover was active from that month — Rs 2 lakh accident cover, Rs 0 premium for the first year, free with E-Shram. Then in February 2024 my son had a road accident on his Zomato shift — bike skidded near the Mula river bridge, fractured collarbone, head injury, ICU for 5 days. He survived but the surgery and ICU bill came to Rs 1.84 lakh. Husband took son's E-Shram card, his Aadhaar, the FIR and the hospital bills to the bank branch. Bank manager said 'PMSBY is for accidental death or permanent disability — for survival without permanent disability, no claim'. Husband persisted; he had read on the E-Shram booklet that **partial permanent disability was also covered (Rs 1 lakh)**. Doctor at Sassoon Hospital certified 30% disability of the right shoulder — **partial permanent**. Claim filed in March 2024. **Rs 1 lakh disbursed in 4 weeks** to my son's bank account. We used Rs 84,000 to clear the hospital balance and the rest stayed for follow-up physiotherapy. Without E-Shram, my son would still be repaying that hospital loan today. **The card cost us nothing. The premium cost us nothing. The peace of mind that all three of us are now covered — priceless.**"
 +
 +—Sushila, March 2026
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +As of March 2026, **30.8 crore unorganised workers** are registered on E-Shram (Ministry of Labour dashboard) — about **94% of India's estimated 32.7 crore unorganised workforce**. PMSBY claims linked to E-Shram registrations have crossed **₹6,400 crore** disbursed since 2021. Domestic workers, agricultural labour, and construction workers form the three largest occupation buckets.
 +
 +===== What E-Shram is — and who can register =====
 +
 +The **Code on Social Security, 2020** (Act No. 36 of 2020) — one of the four labour codes — for the first time gave the Central Government statutory power to **build a database of unorganised workers** (§141 establishment of social security funds, **§142 Aadhaar-based registration**). The Ministry of Labour & Employment notified the **E-Shram portal** in **August 2021** as the operational vehicle for §142.
 +
 +The portal is run by the **National Informatics Centre (NIC)** for the Ministry of Labour. Data is shared (with consent) with State Labour Departments, Welfare Boards, and other Ministries (Rural Development for MGNREGA, Skill Development for skilling schemes, etc.).
 +
 +You are **eligible** to register on E-Shram if **all** are true:
 +
 +  * **Age between 16 and 59** years.
 +  * You are an **unorganised worker** — i.e., you are **not covered** by:
 +    * **EPF / EPS** (Employees' Provident Fund / Pension Scheme) — applies to factories with 20+ workers, etc.
 +    * **ESIC** (Employees' State Insurance) — applies to most factories paying salary up to ₹21,000/month.
 +    * **Central or state government service** (regular employee).
 +  * You are **not an income tax payer** (don't file ITR with taxable income; NIL ITR for refund is fine).
 +
 +The list of eligible occupations is non-exhaustive but includes: agricultural labour and marginal farmers (< 2 ha); construction workers (also under BOCW); **domestic workers** (Sushila's case); street vendors and hawkers; **gig and platform workers** (Zomato, Swiggy, Urban Company, Ola, Uber, Rapido, Amazon Flex, BigBasket); self-employed micro-entrepreneurs (tailor, barber, mobile repair, sub-GST kirana); ASHA / Anganwadi workers, beedi workers, mid-day-meal workers; fishermen, weavers, sericulture, salt workers; head loaders, rickshaw pullers, non-commercial auto drivers; MGNREGA workers; migrant labour, brick kiln workers; newspaper hawkers, leather workers, sanitation workers without regular employment.
 +
 +===== Step-by-step process =====
 +
 +==== Step 1 — Confirm you're eligible and Aadhaar mobile is active ====
 +
 +  * Self-check the four eligibility criteria above. The **biggest exclusion** is being on **EPF or ESIC** — if your employer deducts PF or ESI from your salary, you are NOT eligible.
 +  * Confirm your **Aadhaar is linked to an active mobile number** — required for OTP. SMS test, or check at **myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in**.
 +  * If mobile is wrong/inactive, update at any **Aadhaar Seva Kendra** (₹50, 7-day SLA).
 +
 +==== Step 2 — Have these ready ====
 +
 +  * **Aadhaar card** (number + linked mobile).
 +  * **Bank passbook** (account number + IFSC; **Aadhaar-seeded** account preferred for DBT).
 +  * **Mobile** — for OTP and future SMS.
 +  * **Occupation in mind** — be ready to pick one **principal occupation** from the dropdown list (NCO 2015 codes — 7-digit National Classification of Occupations).
 +  * **Skill** — sub-skill within the occupation (e.g., domestic worker → cleaning / cooking / both).
 +  * **Education** — class up to which studied (drop-out is fine).
 +  * **Nominee** — name + Aadhaar (preferred) + relationship.
 +
 +==== Step 3 — Apply online at eshram.gov.in (self-service) ====
 +
 +  - Open **https://eshram.gov.in** in any browser (works on mobile).
 +  - Click **"Register on E-Shram"** → "Self Registration".
 +  - Enter your **Aadhaar-linked mobile number** + captcha → "Send OTP".
 +  - Enter OTP → consent for Aadhaar fetch → another OTP from UIDAI on your Aadhaar mobile.
 +  - **Personal details** auto-pulled from Aadhaar (name, gender, DOB, address, photo).
 +  - Add **mother's name**, **marital status**, **social category** (Gen / SC / ST / OBC), **religion**, **education**, **physically handicapped status**.
 +  - **Occupation & skill** — pick from dropdown.
 +  - **Bank account** — number + IFSC + branch.
 +  - **Nominee** — name + relationship + Aadhaar.
 +  - Self-declaration that you are not on EPF/ESIC and not an IT payer.
 +  - **Submit** → **12-digit UAN** generated instantly.
 +  - **E-Shram card PDF** downloadable; print on plain A4 — that is your card. (Some states later send laminated cards by post.)
 +
 +==== Step 4 — Apply via Common Service Centre (CSC) ====
 +
 +(Best route for those who are not comfortable with smartphones.)
 +
 +  - Visit any **CSC center** — there are **5+ lakh CSCs** across India; locate via https://locator.csccloud.in.
 +  - Carry **Aadhaar + bank passbook + mobile**.
 +  - The operator does the same form on his/her terminal — Aadhaar OTP, occupation, bank, nominee.
 +  - **CSC fee** for E-Shram is **NIL** — the Ministry of Labour pays the CSC ₹20/registration. Some operators try to charge ₹50-100 — **refuse**, complain to CSC supervisor.
 +  - UAN generated; printed E-Shram card handed over.
 +
 +==== Step 5 — Auto-enrolment in PMSBY ====
 +
 +  * Once registered, you are **auto-enrolled in Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY)** — accidental death / total permanent disability cover of **₹2 lakh**, partial permanent disability cover of **₹1 lakh**.
 +  * **Premium for the first year is paid by the Ministry of Labour** — free for the worker.
 +  * **From year 2 onwards**, the standard PMSBY premium of **₹20 per year** is auto-debited from your Aadhaar-linked bank account if you opt to continue (consent collected at registration).
 +  * **PM-JJBY** (Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana — ₹2 lakh life cover, age 18-50, premium **₹436/year**) — **opt-in separately** at the bank where your Aadhaar account sits; takes one form.
 +
 +==== Step 6 — Update profile and add nominee changes ====
 +
 +  * Login at eshram.gov.in with UAN + Aadhaar OTP → "Update Profile".
 +  * Change occupation if you switch jobs (e.g., Sushila's son could update from "delivery rider" to "fixed-shop salesman" if he changes work).
 +  * Update bank account if you change banks.
 +  * Update nominee on marriage / death.
 +
 +==== Step 7 — Use the UAN to claim PMSBY (if accident occurs) ====
 +
 +  * On accidental injury / death within the policy year:
 +    * **Nominee** (or worker if disability) takes: E-Shram card, Aadhaar, bank passbook, **FIR/MLC**, **hospital records**, **Disability Certificate from a Govt Medical Board** (for partial permanent), **death certificate** (for death claim).
 +    * Submit **PMSBY Claim Form** at the bank branch where the policy is anchored (the worker's E-Shram-linked bank).
 +    * Bank forwards to the insurance company (United India / New India / Oriental — pool insurer).
 +    * Claim disbursed in **30-60 days** to the nominee/worker bank account.
 +
 +==== Step 8 — Renew profile annually + watch for new schemes ====
 +
 +  * E-Shram registration is **valid for life** (no annual renewal).
 +  * However, **PMSBY auto-renewal** is annual — keep the linked bank balance > ₹20 in May-June every year (premium debit window).
 +  * The portal regularly adds new linked schemes (Skill development, e-Shram-Skill Council, Jan Aushadhi access, state welfare top-ups). Login once a quarter to check.
 +  * From mid-2025, a new **gig and platform worker social security scheme** (¶ 113 of Code on Social Security 2020) is being rolled out — currently in pilot in 5 states with 1-2% aggregator contribution; track via E-Shram dashboard.
 +
 +===== Sample fees + benefits + helpline table =====
 +
 +<code>
 ++-----------------------------------+--------------------------------------+
 +| E-Shram registration fee          | NIL — completely free                |
 ++-----------------------------------+--------------------------------------+
 +| CSC registration charge           | NIL (operator gets ₹20 from MoLE)    |
 ++-----------------------------------+--------------------------------------+
 +| Print of E-Shram card             | Self-print free; CSC ₹10-20          |
 ++-----------------------------------+--------------------------------------+
 +| UAN format                        | 12 digits, life-long                 |
 ++-----------------------------------+--------------------------------------+
 +| Eligibility age range             | 16 to 59 years                       |
 ++-----------------------------------+--------------------------------------+
 +| PMSBY accidental death / TPD      | ₹2 lakh                              |
 ++-----------------------------------+--------------------------------------+
 +| PMSBY partial permanent disability| ₹1 lakh                              |
 ++-----------------------------------+--------------------------------------+
 +| PMSBY premium year 1              | NIL (paid by Ministry of Labour)     |
 ++-----------------------------------+--------------------------------------+
 +| PMSBY premium year 2 onwards      | ₹20 per year                         |
 ++-----------------------------------+--------------------------------------+
 +| PM-JJBY life cover (opt-in)       | ₹2 lakh, ₹436 / year, age 18-50      |
 ++-----------------------------------+--------------------------------------+
 +| E-Shram helpline (toll-free)      | 14434 (8 am – 8 pm, multi-lingual)   |
 ++-----------------------------------+--------------------------------------+
 +| CSC helpline                      | 1800-3000-3468                       |
 ++-----------------------------------+--------------------------------------+
 +| Mobile update at Aadhaar Kendra   | ₹50 (7-day SLA)                      |
 ++-----------------------------------+--------------------------------------+
 +| RTI to PIO MoLE / Labour Comm.    | ₹10 by IPO. BPL = free.              |
 ++-----------------------------------+--------------------------------------+
 +</code>
 +
 +===== Common reasons your E-Shram registration / claim gets stuck =====
 +
 +  * **Aadhaar mobile not registered or inactive** — OTP fails. Most common reason. Fix at Aadhaar Seva Kendra.
 +  * **Worker actually on EPF/ESIC** — system cross-checks; if a UAN/IP number is found, registration is rejected. Even an old factory stint years ago can show up.
 +  * **Worker is an income tax filer** — system cross-checks PAN; recent ITR with taxable income > exemption blocks registration. NIL ITR for refund is fine.
 +  * **Bank account not Aadhaar-seeded** — registration goes through but PMSBY DBT later fails. Always seed first. (See [[:rti-for-widow-pension-not-credited|bank-seeding RTI guide]].)
 +  * **Wrong occupation code** — picked "general labourer" instead of "domestic worker" — loses you state domestic-worker welfare board eligibility. Update profile.
 +  * **State welfare board not auto-enrolled** — MH, KA, TN, KL, DL have their own Domestic / Construction Workers Welfare Boards with richer benefits. Apply separately at State Labour Department.
 +  * **PMSBY claim denied — "no permanent disability"** — Sushila's son's case. Get a Government Medical Board certificate: 40-100% partial = ₹1L; total PD or death = ₹2L.
 +  * **Late PMSBY claim** — file within 30 days; condonable to 120 days with reason; beyond — repudiated.
 +  * **Premium auto-debit failed in year 2** — low balance in May-June lapses the policy. Re-opt-in at the bank.
 +  * **Same Aadhaar registered twice** by different CSC operators — second attempt rejected; if two UANs got created, write to helpline to merge.
 +  * **Migrant worker moved** — old occupation/state no longer accurate. Update via OTP; new state's welfare board can then be applied to.
 +
 +===== If stuck — the escalation ladder =====
 +
 +==== Rung 1 — E-Shram helpline 14434 ====
 +
 +  * **Toll-free, 8 am – 8 pm**, available in **Hindi, English, Bengali, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Gujarati, Punjabi, Assamese, Odia**.
 +  * Best for: registration errors, profile update issues, claim status, PMSBY claim guidance.
 +  * Quote your **Aadhaar last 4 digits** + UAN.
 +
 +==== Rung 2 — CSC supervisor / district CSC manager ====
 +
 +  * If a CSC operator overcharged or registered you wrongly, escalate to the **District CSC Manager** — phone numbers at https://csc.gov.in.
 +  * CSC central helpline **1800-3000-3468**.
 +
 +==== Rung 3 — State Labour Department / Labour Commissioner ====
 +
 +  * Each state has a **Labour Commissionerate** with district-level **Assistant Labour Commissioners (ALCs)**.
 +  * For domestic workers, construction workers, etc. — also approach the **State Welfare Boards** (Maharashtra Domestic Workers Welfare Board, Karnataka Construction Workers Welfare Board, etc.).
 +  * Useful when state-specific schemes are not flowing despite E-Shram registration.
 +
 +==== Rung 4 — CPGRAMS ====
 +
 +  * **https://pgportal.gov.in** → **Ministry of Labour & Employment** → sub-category **E-Shram / NDUW**.
 +  * SLA 30 days; routes to a Director-level officer.
 +
 +==== Rung 5 — Insurance company grievance (for PMSBY claim issues) ====
 +
 +  * If the bank says claim was forwarded to the insurance company and it's stuck:
 +    * **United India Insurance** — 1800-425-3333.
 +    * **New India Assurance** — 1800-209-1415.
 +    * **Oriental Insurance** — 1800-118-485.
 +    * **National Insurance** — 1800-345-0330.
 +  * If still unresolved in 30 days, **Insurance Ombudsman** (https://cioins.co.in) — area-wise; free; binding award up to ₹50 lakh.
 +
 +==== Rung 6 — Right to Information (RTI) ====
 +
 +The **Ministry of Labour & Employment**, **NIC** (which runs E-Shram portal), and **State Labour Commissioners / Labour Welfare Boards** are all **public authorities** under §2(h) of the RTI Act, 2005.
 +
 +**RTI helps here when:**
 +
 +  * Your **PMSBY claim** has been pending for **> 60 days** with no movement — RTI to **PIO Ministry of Labour** asking for "claim status, file movement, insurer response, expected disbursal date".
 +  * **State welfare board scheme** linked to E-Shram (e.g., maternity benefit, scholarship, marriage assistance) is denied/delayed — RTI to **PIO at State Labour Commissioner / Welfare Board** for "reason for non-disbursal of [scheme name] dated [date] for UAN [number]".
 +  * The portal **wrongly says you are EPF/ESIC enrolled** — RTI to PIO MoLE asking for "the basis on which I am classified as EPF/ESIC member; please share the matched UAN/IP number and date of last contribution".
 +  * Your **occupation profile change** has not been processed for 30+ days — RTI for "reason for non-update".
 +  * The **CSC operator's transaction record** for your registration is needed to prove you registered on a particular date — RTI to PIO Common Service Centres SPV for the transaction log.
 +  * Your **death claim** as nominee under PMSBY is delayed beyond 60 days — RTI to PIO MoLE + the insurer's grievance officer (insurer is private but the scheme is administered through the public PMSBY pool — at minimum the MoLE PIO can disclose the claim status).
 +  * **State scheme inclusion** for a category that the state has notified (e.g., gig workers in Karnataka) — RTI for the **list of beneficiaries** and your inclusion date.
 +
 +**RTI does NOT help here when:**
 +
 +  * You are **clearly ineligible** (currently on EPF, or paying income tax) — RTI will only confirm the ineligibility, not waive it.
 +  * You disagree with the **benefit amount** (₹2 lakh PMSBY) — that's the scheme cap set by the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Labour; not appealable.
 +  * **Insurance claim repudiation** by the insurer for substantive reasons (e.g., the accident happened outside the policy year, or doctor certified < 40% disability) — that's an insurance dispute, take it to Insurance Ombudsman.
 +  * You want **ad hoc financial relief** outside the schemes — E-Shram is a database that triggers schemes; it doesn't itself disburse cash. RTI to MoLE will only confirm "no scheme of this nature exists".
 +  * Your **employer is misclassifying you** as casual when you should be on EPF — that's a separate complaint to the EPFO under the EPF Act, 1952.
 +  * You want **professional advice** on which insurance to buy beyond PMSBY/PM-JJBY — RTI cannot give financial advice.
 +
 +===== FAQs =====
 +
 +**Q. I'm 17, apprentice in a workshop. Can I register?**\\
 +**Yes** — eligibility starts at **16**. Use your own Aadhaar and a minor savings account (parent guardian). PMSBY cover applies from 18; database entry sits in place till then.
 +
 +**Q. I'm a Swiggy delivery partner. EPF or unorganised?**\\
 +**Unorganised.** Gig and platform workers are not on EPF/ESIC. Code on Social Security 2020 created a separate gig & platform worker category (§113). From 2025, an aggregator-funded social security fund is rolling out — E-Shram is the eligibility gateway.
 +
 +**Q. My husband is registered. Can I also register if I'm a homemaker?**\\
 +**Only if you do some unorganised work** for income — tailoring, tiffin, agarbatti, animal husbandry, kitchen garden sale. Pure homemakers don't qualify; any income work does.
 +
 +**Q. I'm a small farmer with 1 acre. Can I register?**\\
 +**Yes** — marginal farmers (< 2 ha) are listed. Pick "Cultivator (own land)" or "Agricultural labourer". Doesn't conflict with PM-Kisan; both can be drawn.
 +
 +**Q. PMSBY claim rejected — disability certified 35%. What now?**\\
 +PMSBY partial PD requires **≥ 40%**. Get re-evaluation from a Government Medical Board (District Hospital / AIIMS); if 40%+, refile. If genuinely 35%, look to state welfare board or Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY).
 +
 +**Q. Lost my E-Shram card. New one?**\\
 +Login at eshram.gov.in with UAN + Aadhaar OTP → "Download UAN Card". Free print on A4. CSC ₹10-20.
 +
 +**Q. I changed occupation from domestic worker to kirana shop owner. Update?**\\
 +**Yes** — login → "Update Profile" → change. Affects which schemes you qualify for (PM SVANidhi for shop owners; state welfare board for domestic workers).
 +
 +**Q. What other schemes auto-flow once I'm registered?**\\
 +Direct: **PMSBY**. Opt-in: **PM-JJBY** (₹2L life, ₹436/year), **APY** (₹1k-5k/month pension from 60). State boards may offer maternity ₹6k-30k, education scholarships, marriage assistance ₹25k-50k.
 +
 +**Q. I'm 60 now. Do my E-Shram benefits stop?**\\
 +Fresh entry was valid till 59. After 60: PMSBY runs to age 70. Main income-support route after 60 is **IGNOAPS** — see [[:apply-old-age-pension-nsap-state-2026|Old age pension guide]].
 +
 +**Q. CSC operator demanded ₹100. Pay?**\\
 +**No — refuse.** Registration is free; Ministry pays CSC ₹20 directly. Report to District CSC Manager (csc.gov.in) and helpline **14434**. Operator can lose CSC ID for unauthorised charging.
 +
 +===== Related on RTI Wiki =====
 +
 +  * [[:apply-old-age-pension-nsap-state-2026|How to apply for old age pension (IGNOAPS + state) — for life after 60]]
 +  * [[:rti-for-widow-pension-not-credited|RTI for widow / E-Shram benefit not credited — copy-ready template]]
 +  * [[:rti-for-beginners|RTI in 12 simple steps — for first-time filers]]
 +  * [[:helplines:start|All Indian government helplines — one master directory]]
 +  * [[:forms:start|RTI forms + state-wise fee chart]]
 +  * [[:rti-for-money-and-schemes|All "money & schemes" RTI guides]]
 +
 +===== Check your status (2026) =====
 +
 +  * [[:eshram-payment-status-2026|e-Shram payment status — ₹1,000/₹3,000 (2026)]]
 +
 +//Last reviewed: 26 April 2026 by RTI Wiki editorial team. E-Shram benefits and linked schemes evolve as the Ministry of Labour adds new modules — verify on eshram.gov.in or write to [email protected] if you spot a stale figure.//
 +
 +{{tag>e-shram unorganised-worker uan code-on-social-security-2020 section-142 pmsby pm-jjby gig-worker platform-worker domestic-worker construction-worker agricultural-labourer ministry-of-labour csc rti-mole rti-labour-commissioner citizen-guide help-first 2026}}