opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 241 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-07-20
Subject: Residential Schools for SCs
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Vijay Baghel, Arun Sao, Sunil Kumar Soni

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT LOK SABHA

## RESIDENTIAL SCHOOLS FOR SCs

## +241. SHRI VIJAY BAGHEL: SHRI SUNIL KUMAR SON: SHRI ARUN SAO:

Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has formulated any scheme to set up residential schools in the Scheduled Caste dominated development blocks of the country;
- (6) if s0, the details thereof; Stateldistrict/ development block-wise including Chhattisgarh;
- (c) whether one residential school each in Masturi development block of Bilaspur district and Mungeli development block of Mungeli district in scheduled caste dominted area of Chhattisgarh is proposed to be set up; and
- (d) if s0, the details thereof and the extant status thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI ANARAYANASWAMY)

- (a) No Sir. Department of School Education and Literacy; Ministry of Education establishes residential schools, viz  Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBVs) and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalyas (JNVs) in Scheduled Castes (SCs) majority/concentrated Districts  Further; KGBVs are set up in Educationally Backward Blocks

(6) to (d): Do not arise.

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.241t TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.07.2021

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 239 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-07-20
Subject: Price of Anti-Cancer Drug
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Devendrappa Y

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS

## DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACEUTICALS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 239 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20 th  July, 2021

## Price of Anti-Cancer Drug

## 239. SHRI Y. DEVENDRAPPA:

Will the Minister of CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that the prices of anti-cancer medicines are high in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether it is a fact that cancer patients incur a large portion of their treatment money on anti-cancer medicines only;
- (d) if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether the Government has taken any steps to control the prices of anti-cancer medicines; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS (SHRI MANSUKH MANDAVIYA)

- (a) & (b):  No, Sir. The cost of both patented and generic chemotherapeutics is significantly less in India as compared to most other countries, and efforts to improve affordability have been made.
- (c)  &  (d):  The  treatment  of  cancer  is  multi-modal,  incorporating  mainly  radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery depending on the site and stage of the disease. The rest of cases receive treatment directed towards palliation of symptoms or supportive care. Seventy per cent of all cases, who are treated with curative intent, receive chemotherapy, either primarily or prior  to  or  adjunct  to  radiation  or  surgery.  Similarly,  forty  per  cent  of  palliative  treatment comprise of chemotherapy. As such, the expenditure incurred by the cancer patients is not just on anti-cancer medicines, but on various treatment procedures. Chemotherapy forms a part of treatment for nearly sixty per cent of cancer patients, often being administered as an adjunct to definitive surgery or radiotherapy.
- (e) & (f): National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) under the aegis of the Department of Pharmaceuticals has fixed the ceiling prices of 86 anti-cancer scheduled formulations under the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM), 2015. Further, the NPPA vide order S.O. 1041(E) dated 27th February, 2019 has put a cap on Trade Margins of 42 select non-scheduled anti-cancer medicines under 'Trade Margin Rationalisation' Approach. By this approach, the MRP of 526 brands of these medicines have been reduced by up to 90%. This move has resulted in an estimated annual savings of around Rs. 984 cr. to the patients. The details of prices fixed by NPPA are available on the website of the NPPA, i.e., www.nppaindia.nic.in.
Lok Sabha Question No. 235 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-07-20
Subject: Population Enumeration
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: T. R. Paarivendhar, Mitesh Rameshbhai (Bakabhai) Patel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 235

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 20 TH  JULY, 2021/ ASHADHA 29, 1943 (SAKA)

POPULATION ENUMERATION

235.    DR. T.R.PAARIVENDHAR:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) the details of population of Tamil Nadu as per Census, 2011;

(b)  the  details  of  population  break-up  thereof  as  per  Census,  2011, community-wise;

(c)  whether  there  is  any  decrease/increase  of  any  community  during  the period; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI NITYANAND RAI)

(a): The total population of Tamil Nadu as per Census 2011 is 7,21,47,030.

(b) to (d):   The  community-wise  population  of  the  State  as  per  Census

2001 and 2011 and their decadal growth are given below:

## L.S.US.Q.NO.235. FOR 20.07.2021

| Community                       |   Census 2001 |   Census 2011 |   Decadal Growth 2001-2011 (in %) |
|---------------------------------|---------------|---------------|-----------------------------------|
| Hindu                           |      54985079 |      63188168 |                             14.92 |
| Muslim                          |       3470647 |       4229479 |                             21.86 |
| Christian                       |       3785060 |       4418331 |                             16.73 |
| Sikh                            |          9545 |         14601 |                             52.97 |
| Buddhist                        |          5393 |         11186 |                            107.42 |
| Jain                            |         83359 |         89265 |                              7.09 |
| Other religions and persuasions |          7252 |          7414 |                              2.23 |
| Religion not stated             |         59344 |        188586 |                            217.78 |
| Total                           |      62405679 |      72147030 |                             15.61 |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 231 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-07-20
Subject: Domestic Violence
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: K. Muraleedharan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 231

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 20 TH  JULY, 2021/ ASHADHA 29, 1943 (SAKA) DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

## 231. SHRI K. MURALEEDHARAN:

## Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  number  of  cases  registered  in  Domestic  Violence  has increased during the last three years;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  number  of  such  cases registered during the said period Statewise; and
- (c) the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  expedite  the  cases  related  to dowry deaths and other domestic violence against women?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI AJAY KUMAR MISHRA)

- (a) No, Sir. The published data by National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) does not show this trend.
- (b) Does not arise in view of reply to part (a) above.
- (c) In order to enable integrated services, including legal aid/ counseling, psychosocial counseling, medical aid, temporary shelter and police facilitation  where  required,  the  Government  has  operationalized  704  One Stop Centres in the country for women affected by violence and in distress. Dedicated Women  Helplines  are functional 24x7 in 34 States/ Union Territories.  In  cases of emergency  a  single  number  112 based Emergency

## LS.US.Q.NO.231 FOR 20.07.2021

Response Support System is available for Police, Medical and Fire services in 35 States/ Union Territories. Apart from this, the Ministry of Home Affairs has issued  advisories  to  all  States/  Union  Territories,  advising  them  to  ensure thorough  investigation  of  crimes  against  women,  filing  of  chargesheets against  the  accused  persons  in  a  timely  manner  without  compromising  on the  quality  of  investigation  in  heinous  crimes  and  for  increasing  gender sensitivity in Police. These advisories are available at www.mha.gov.in.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 17 (STARRED), answered on 2021-07-19
Subject: New Kendriya Vidyalayas in Maharashtra
Ministry: Education
Asked by: Vinayak Bhaurao Raut

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION & LITERACY

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO.17 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.07.2021

## New Kendriya Vidyalayas in Maharashtra

- *17.   SHRI VINAYAK RAUT:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  planning  to  set  up  new  Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) in Sindhudurg and Ratnagiri Districts of Maharashtra;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (d) the criteria laid down for opening of such new KVs?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF EDUCATION (SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)

(a) to (d) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

- ******

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 17 RAISED BY  SHRI VINAYAK  RAUT,  HON'BLE  MEMBER  OF  PARLIAMENT  TO  BE ANSWERED  ON  19 TH   JULY  2021  REGARDING  NEW  KENDRIYA VIDYALAYAS IN MAHARASHTRA. (a)  to  (d)  Kendriya  Vidyalaya  Sangathan  (KVS)  has  not  received  any proposal  in  the  prescribed  proformae  for  opening  of  a  new  KV  in Sindhudurg  and  Ratnagiri  Districts  from  the  State  Government  of Maharashtra. Opening  of  Kendriya  Vidyalayas  (KVs)  is  a  continuous  process. KVs are opened primarily to cater to the educational needs of the wards of  transferable  Central  Government  Employees  including  Defence  & Para-Military  personnel,  Central  Autonomous  Bodies,  Central  Public Sector  Undertakings  (PSUs)  and  Central  Institutes  of  Higher  Learning (IHL)  by  providing  a  common  programme  of  education.  Proposals  for opening of new KVs are considered only if sponsored by Ministries or Departments of the Government of India / State Governments / Union Territories (UTs) Administrations and committing resources for setting up a new KV. The proposals received from various sponsoring authorities for opening of new KVs have to compete with other proposals under the

'Challenge Method'.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 16 (STARRED), answered on 2021-07-19
Subject: Technical Education Quality Improvement Programme
Ministry: Education
Asked by: Raksha Nikhil Khadse

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 16 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.07.2021

## Technical Education Quality Improvement Programme

- *16. SHRIMATI RAKSHA NIKHIL KHADSE:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is making continuous efforts to convince the Focused State Governments to prepare a sustainability plan for the Technical Education Quality Improvement Programme (TEQIP-III) of the Government to continue the  services  rendered  by  the  faculties  engaged  to  upgrade  the  engineering education in the focused States;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the  steps  taken/proposed  to  be  taken  by  the  Government  to  safeguard  this technical force engaged under TEQIP-III for which the programme period has ended in March, 2021?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF EDUCATION (SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)

- (a) to (c): A statement is laid on the table of the House.

*****

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) TO (c) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 16 FOR 19.07.2021 ASKED BY SHRIMATI RAKSHA NIKHIL KHADSE,  HON'BLE  MEMBER  OF PARLIAMENT  REGARDING  TECHNICAL  EDUCATION  QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME.

(a to b) The Government of India has been making continuous efforts to ensure that the  focus  State  Governments  prepare  a  sustainability  plan  for  the  Technical Education Quality Improvement Programme (TEQIP-III). Several communications have been sent to the focus States requesting for preparation of a sustainability plan for filling up vacant faculty positions through regular recruitments so as to avoid any academic standstill beyond the project period i.e 30 th  September 2021.

Ministry  of  Education  has  also  written  to  the  Chief  Secretaries  of  Focus States requesting to plan for continuation of activities undertaken during TEQIP-III, for maintaining the quality of technical education.

(c) Government of India has extended the TEQIP III project including the tenure of the temporary project faculties once from 30 th September 2020 to 31 st  March 2021 and then finally up to 30 th  September 2021.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 15 (STARRED), answered on 2021-07-19
Subject: Inclusion under 15th Finance Commission
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Vaithilingam Ve.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

STARRED QUESTION NO. *15

TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY 19 th  JULY, 2021 [28 ASHADHA, 1943 (SAKA)]

'Inclusion Under 15 th  Finance Commission'

## No. *15.  Shri V E Vaithilingam:

Will the MINISTER OF FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Union Territory (UT) of Puducherry is yet to be included under the terms of reference of the 15 th Finance Commission, despite repeated requests from the Government of Puducherry and if so, the details thereof ;
- (b) whether  the  Government  of  UT  of  Jammu  and  Kashmir  which  is  also  a  UT  with Legislature has been included under the ambit of the 15 th Finance Commission and if so, the details thereof ; and
- (c) whether  the  Union  Government  will  come  forward  to  include  the  UT  of  Puducherry under  the  terms  of  reference  of  the  15 th Finance  Commission  and  if  so,  the  details thereof?

Answer

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FINANCE MINISTER

(SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

(a) to (c) : A Statement is placed on the Table of the House.

****

Statement referred to in reply to LokSabha Starred Question No. *15 for answer on July 19,  2021  raised  by  Sh.  V  E  Vaithilingam,  Member  of  Parliament  regarding  'Inclusion under 15 th  Finance Commission':

- (a) & (c) No Sir. The terms of reference of the Finance Commission are framed under Art 280 (3) of the Constitution.  Article  280  (3)  of  the  Constitution  envisages  that  the  Commission  make recommendations   on  sharing  of  taxes,  grants-in  aid  of  revenue  in  respect  of  States. Puducherry being a Union Territory therefore does not fall under the ambit of Art 280(3). 15 th Finance Commission as per its Terms of Reference has submitted its report pertaining to Financial Years 2021-22 to 2025-26 to the Hon'ble President of India on 9 th November, 2020. An Explanatory Memorandum as to the Action Taken on the recommendations made by the 15 th Finance Commission was laid  in the Parliament on 1.2.2021.
- (b) No, Sir.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 11 (STARRED), answered on 2021-07-19
Subject: Production of Natural Gas
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: P. Velusamy, K. Shanmuga Sundaram

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 11 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19 th  July, 2021

## Production of Natural Gas

## *11.  SHRI VELUSAMY P: SHRI SHANMUGA SUNDARAM K.:

पेोिलयम और ाकृितक गैस मंी

- Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS be pleased to state: (a) the total production of natural gas in MMSCMD (million metric standard and cubic meter per day) in the country and the quantum of natural gas imported during the last three years and the current year; (b) whether the Government is having any proposal for e-bidding platform to promote its market price and if so, the details thereof; (c)  whether  the  gas  producing  companies or its  subsidiaries  will  be  allowed  to  bid under this platform so that the gas producing companies do not charge exorbitant price from the consumers; (d) whether the Government is having any specific provision for MSME industries to
- bid separately under a fixed price mechanism; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## पेोलयम और ाक ृ तक गैस मंी ( ी हरदप संह पुर )

## MINISTER OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS (SHRI HARDEEP SINGH PURI)

- (a)  to (e):          A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## Statement referred to in reply to parts (a) to (e) of Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 11 asked by Shri VELUSAMY P and Shri SHANMUGA SUNDARAM K,  to be answered on 19 th July, 2021.

- (a) Production of natural gas and the quantum of natural gas imported during the last three years and current year is given below :
- (b) & (c): Government vide Notification No. Expl-15022(13)/234/2019-ONG-DV (P32114) dated 15.10.2020  has introduced Natural Gas Marketing Reforms wherein the  producing    companies  are  allowed  to  get  the  bids  invited  through  electronic bidding  portal  to  discover  market  price  of  gas  by  following  a    transparent  and competitive bidding process. The bidding is to be conducted through an independent agency selected from the panel maintained by Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH).  This  bidding  process  and  empanelled  agencies  have  been  notified  vide Government of India Notification No. Expl-15022(13)/234/2019-ONG-DV (P-32114) dated  03.12.2020.  Sale  to affiliates of producers  is also allowed  under  this arrangement but producing /selling company or  its constituents are not allowed to participate in bidding process.
- (d) & (e) :  There is no specific provision for MSME industries; however, MSME can participate in the bidding process.

| Year    | Production of Natural Gas   | LNG Import         |
|---------|-----------------------------|--------------------|
|         | (in MMSCMD)                 | (in MMSCM )        |
| 2018-19 | 90.1                        | 28,740             |
| 2019-20 | 85.2                        | 33,887             |
| 2020-21 | 78.6                        | 32,861             |
| 2021-22 | 88.37 (April-May)           | 5242 (April - May) |

* *  *
Lok Sabha Question No. 8 (STARRED), answered on 2021-07-19
Subject: Impact of Rising Excise Duties and on Fuel/LPG Taxes
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: A. Chellakumar, Amar Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO. 8

TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.07.2021

## IMPACT OF RISING EXCISE DUTIES AND ON FUEL/LPG TAXES

- *8. DR. A. CHALLAKUMAR:
- DR. AMAR SINGH:
- Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has assessed the impact of rising excise duties and taxes on fuel/Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) on income inequality; (b) if so, the details of the incidence of fuel excise duties on varying income groups of the
- population;
- (c) whether the Government has made any assessment about how rising fuel excise duties can increase costs of goods and inflation; and
- (d) if so, the detailed assessment of the impact of current fuel excise duties on inflation?

## ANSWER

THE FINANCE MINISTER (SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

- (a)    to (d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 8 ON IMPACT OF RISING EXCISE DUTIES AND ON FUEL/LPG TAXES BY DR. A. CHALLAKUMAR AND DR. AMAR SINGH DUE FOR ANSWER ON JULY 19, 2021

…..

(a) & (b) No Sir, such assessment has not been made. Combined inflation of 6.16 percent during 2020-21. The weight of fuels like petrol, diesel and

(c) & (d) The CPI- Combined inflation in June 2021 was 6.26 percent as against the average CPIother fuels in the total CPI-Combined is only 2.52 percent.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 7 (STARRED), answered on 2021-07-19
Subject: Development of Tourist Places in Odisha
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Suresh Pujari

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*7 ANSWERED ON 19.07.2021

## DEVELOPMENT OF TOURIST PLACES IN ODISHA

- *7. SHRI SURESH PUJARI:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  there  has  been  any  plan  to  develop  various  tourist places  which  are  of  historical  importance  like  Bara  Pahar, Nrusinghnath, Ganiapali, Ghensh, etc. of Bargarh district and Kuiliguhar, Bikramkhol, Gujapahar, Hirakud reservoir of Jharsuguda district of Odisha; (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; (c) whether the Government has sent a delegation of experts to visit  these  heritage  places  and  prepare  DPR  for  protection, development  and  beautification  of  these  centres  of  tourist attraction; (d) whether  there  is  any  proposals/suggestions  from  the  State Government for the development of these historical locations; and
- (e) if so, the progress made so far in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

(a) to (e): A statement is laid on the table of the House.

***********

STATEMENT  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (e)  OF  LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*7 ANSWERED ON 19.07.2021 REGARDING DEVELOPMENT OF TOURIST PLACES IN ODISHA

(a) to (c): The Ministry of Tourism under Schemes of Swadesh Darshan - Integrated Development of Theme Based Tourist circuits and  PRASHAD-  National  Mission  on  Pilgrimage  Rejuvenation  and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive provides financial assistance to  State  Governments/UT  Administrations  for  the  development  of tourism infrastructure in the country. Submission of projects under the  schemes  is  a  continuous  process.  The  projects  under  the scheme  are  identified  for  development  in  consultation  with  the State Governments/UT Administrations and are sanctioned subject to  availability  of  funds,  submission  of  suitable  detailed  project reports,  adherence  to  scheme  guidelines  and  utilization  of  funds released earlier. (d) and (e): Proposals for the development of Bara Pahar, Nrusinghnath, Ganiapali, Ghensh, etc. of Bargarh district and Kuiliguhar, Bikramkhol, Gujapahar, Hirakud reservoir of Jharsuguda district of Odisha is presently not under consideration of Ministry of Tourism.    However,  Ministry  of  Tourism  has  sanctioned  a  project Development of Gopalpur,  Barkul,  Satapada  and  Tampara  under Swadesh Darshan Scheme for Rs.70.82 crore in 2016 and another project 'Integrated  Development  near  the  Ramchandi  Temple  in Puri', under PRASHAD Scheme for Rs.50.00 Cr in 2015 in Odisha.

*********
Lok Sabha Question No. 6 (STARRED), answered on 2021-07-19
Subject: Wage Revision in LIC
Ministry: FINANCE
Asked by: Satyadev Pachauri

## THE FINANCE MINISTER

(SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

- (a) to (c):  No, Sir. Wages of officers and other employees of the Life Insurance Corporation of India have been revised with effect from 1.8.2017.

**

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO-*6

ANSWERED ON- 19.072021

## Wage Revision in LIC

## *6. SHRI SATYADEV PACHAURI:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  proposal  regarding  wage  revision  of  officers  and  staff  working  in  the Life Insurance Corporation of India is pending with the Government since the year 2017;
- (b)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  time  by  which  the  Government is likely to consider the said proposal; and
- (c) the reason for delay in this regard?

## ANSWER