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THE HINDU DELHI WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2019 NATION 9 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

IN BRIEF Weather Watch Defence ties to get push at ‘2+2’ with U.S. Rainfall, temperature & air quality in select metros yesterday

Jaishankar, Rajnath gun systems, among others. our two countries and we are However, the threat of U.S. looking forward to a highly to meet Pompeo sanctions under CAATSA ov­ qualitative meeting,” he and Esper today er S­400 air defence pur­ added. chases from Russia remains a Actor Payal Rohatgi Suhasini Haider sticking point. CAA, Kashmir released on bail Dinakar Peri In addition, officials say U.S. JAIPUR NEW DELHI Actor Payal Rohatgi, arrested Quad grouping concerns over the Citizen­ for her alleged objectionable Enhanced defence coopera­ As part of the larger Indo­ ship (Amendment) Act and social media posts on the tion, furthering their Indo­ Pacific focus, the evolving the protests, which the U.S. Nehru­Gandhi family, was Pacific strategy, and discus­ cooperation between the State Department has spo­ released on bail by a sessions sions on global challenges, Quad grouping comprising ken about twice now, will court at Bundi in Rajasthan on including U.S. policy in Iran Creating symbiosis: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar India, Australia, Japan and come up. “We are closely fol­ Tuesday. A magistrate’s and Afghanistan, are likely to with his U.S. counterpart Mike Pompeo, in this file photo. * AP the U.S. will also be dis­ lowing developments re­ court had sent her to judicial feature at the top of the agen­ cussed. While Washington garding the Citizenship custody for eight days on da as External Affairs Minis­ ment (COMCASA), which for co­development and co­ has been pushing for greater (Amendment) Act. We urge Monday. ter S. Jaishankar and Defence was signed during the pre­ production of military hard­ military engagement, New authorities to protect and Minister Rajnath Singh sit vious 2+2 talks. However, dis­ ware, a Standard Operating Delhi has stated that it respect the right of peaceful down for the second “2+2” cussions on the last founda­ Procedure (SOP) for Defence doesn’t see any military role assembly. We also urge prot­ BrahMos missiles Temperature Data: IMD, Pollution Data: CPCB, Map: INSAT/IMD (Taken at 17.30 Hrs) combined ministerial meet­ tional agreement, Basic Technology Trade Initiative for the grouping. esters to refrain from vio­ successfully test-fired Forecast for Wednesday: Cold day conditions likely in pockets of ing with their U.S. counter­ Exchange and Cooperation (DTTI) is also expected to be “The 2+2 dialogue is the lence,” a U.S. State Depart­ NEW DELHI Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh & Delhi, Rajasthan, The Defence Research and parts, Secretary of State Agreement for Geo­spatial signed that “will act as a highest­level institutional ment spokesperson said in northern parts of Madhya Pradesh and Bihar Development Organisation Mike Pompeo and Secretary Cooperation (BECA) have guide to coordinate mechanism between India Washington on Monday. city rain max min city rain max min (DRDO) on Tuesday of Defence Mark Esper, on not concluded yet, as some projects.” and USA that brings together U.S. officials in Delhi have Agartala...... —....27.2....13.1 Kozhikode...... —....35.5....23.8 successfully conducted two Wednesday. differences still remain, offi­ In addition, there are sev­ our perspectives on foreign also raised the issue of conti­ Ahmedabad...... —....25.2...... 12 Kurnool ...... —...... 32....20.4 Aizawl...... —....21.2...... 8.6 Lucknow...... —....22.2....11.7 BrahMos supersonic cruise On the defence front, the cial sources said. eral big ticket defence deals policy, defence and strategic nuing restrictions in Kash­ Allahabad...... —...... 24....12.6 Madurai...... 0.7....27.4....23.8 missile tests , one each from two sides are expected to The ISA is crucial for U.S. in the works, the progress of issues,” Indian Ambassador mir, including the detention Bengaluru ...... —....26.2....18.4 Mangaluru ...... —....37.3....22.5 land and air platforms. The sign the Industrial Security companies bidding for big which will be reviewed. to the U.S. Harsh Vardhan of political leaders, as re­ Bhopal ...... —....17.3...... 9.9 Mumbai ...... —....33.6....21.2 first missile launch was from a Bhubaneswar...... —....28.7....18.1 Mysuru ...... —...... 28...... 18 Annex (ISA) and review steps ticket Indian deals to partner These include the 24 Lock­ Shringla told news agency cently as last week, and have Chandigarh ...... —....11.4...... 9.6 New Delhi ...... —....12.2....10.4 land­based mobile launcher, being taken to operationalise with the Indian private in­ heed Martin MH­60R Multi­ PTI in Washington. made requests repeatedly to Chennai ...... —....30.4....23.4 Patna ...... —....20.3...... 12 where most of the the foundational agreement dustry, especially the multi­ Role helicopters worth “A lot of progress has been the government to allow U.S. Coimbatore ...... —....27.1....21.8 Port Blair...... —....30.3....25.6 components were indigenous, Dehradun...... —....21.7...... 8.4 Puducherry ...... —....30.2....22.2 Communications Compati­ billion dollar deal for 114 $2.4bn and 13 BAE Systems­ made in the areas of foreign Embassy diplomats to visit Gangtok...... —....13.3...... 5.5 Pune...... —....28.6....15.6 while the second launch was bility and Security Agree­ fighter jets. As part of efforts built 127 mm MK­45 Naval policy and defence between Jammu and Kashmir. Goa...... —....34.4....21.4 Raipur ...... —...... 26....16.2 carried out by the Air force Guwahati ...... 0.1...... 26...... 13 Ranchi...... —...... 19....14.6 from an SU­30MKI platform Hubballi...... —...... 29...... 18 Shillong...... —...... 16...... — against a sea target. Hyderabad ...... —....28.5....18.7 Shimla...... —....12.4...... 2.5 Imphal ...... —....23.8...... 5.2 Srinagar...... —...... 7.5.... -3.7 Jaipur ...... —....15.7...... 5.5 Thiruvananthapuram...... —....33.2...... 24 Limit deputation of IPS officers Actor Shriram Lagoo Kochi ...... —....32.6....23.8 Tiruchi...... —....28.7....23.6 Siblings, father booked Kohima ...... —....17.5...... — Vijayawada ...... —....30.9...... 21 over sexual assault plaint Kolkata ...... —....25.5....18.6 Visakhapatnam ...... —....29.7....22.8 COIMBATORE passes away in Pune (Rainfall data in mm; temperature in Celsius) A day after the principal and in paramilitary at 25%: RS panel Pollutants in the air you are breathing Yesterday three teachers of a school in He was a pioneer in Marathi theatre CITIES SO2 NO2 CO PM2.5 PM10 CODE Coimbatore were booked on Ahmedabad..... 29 .33 16 ..101 .100 ....* It has objected that the defence forces per­ * In observation made at the charges of sexually Bengaluru ...... 04 .53 86 ....41 ...62 .... sonnel are being paid Mili­ Press Trust of India Chennai ...... 04 .35 39 ....78 .....— ....* 4 p.m., Bulandshahr, Uttar assaulting a Class XI student Pradesh, recorded an overall to the overuse of tary Service Pay in view of Pune Delhi ...... 11 163 76 ..275 .180 ....* air quality index (AQI) score and his younger brother, the Hyderabad ...... 17 .53 41 ..164 .....— ....* of 277, indicating a severe the risk to life and social and Eminent theatre personality police on Tuesday registered CAPF personnel Kolkata...... 14 .72 31 ..168 .137 ....* level of pollution. In family isolation and argued and film actor Shriram La­ Lucknow...... 08 .07 63 ..285 .....— ....* contrast, Eloor, Kerala, a case against the boys and recorded a healthy AQI score Vijaita Singh that the CAPF also deserves goo died due to age­related Mumbai ...... 13 .90 24 ..198 .160 ....* of 30 their father, based on a * New Delhi Pune...... 85 .26 59 ..151 .119 .... counter petition filed by the similar incentive in the form ailments at his Pune resi­ Visakhapatnam 09 .34 55 ..155 .115 ....* A Rajya Sabha committee of Paramilitary Service Pay dence on Tuesday, family principal in­charge. The Class Air Quality Code: * Poor * Moderate * Good (Readings indicate average AQI) XI student, on whose has objected to the overuse CRPF personnel deployed as they also face similar risks sources said. He was 92. SO2: Sulphur Dioxide. Short-term exposure can harm the respiratory system, complaint the teachers were of the Central Armed Police for poll duty in Madurai. and isolation. Noting the res­ “I spoke to his son­in­law. making breathing difficult. It can affect visibility by reacting with other air Force (CAPF) for rigorous in­ ponse of the MHA that the He passed away due to age­ Shriram Lagoo particles to form haze and stain culturally important objects such as statues booked under POCSO Act, and monuments. had been placed under ternal security and election­ par with the defence forces 7th Pay Commission and the related complications,” NO2: Nitrogen Dioxide. Aggravates respiratory illness, causes haze to form by suspension on December 13. related duties to the extent personnel. Committee on Allowance playwright Satish Alekar such as Ek Din Achanak, reacting with other air particles, causes acid rain, pollutes coastal waters. CO: Carbon monoxide. High concentration in air reduces oxygen supply to that even the reserved batta­ The Department Related did not agree to such special said. Gharonda and Laawaris. critical organs like the heart and brain. At very high levels, it can cause Tripura court extends lions are deployed not giving Standing Committee on pay, the committee insisted Dr. Lagoo, who was a Dr. Lagoo, affectionately dizziness, confusion, unconsciousness and even death. them enough time for rest Home Affairs has strongly on doing the needful,” the trained ENT surgeon, called in theatre circles as PM2.5 & PM10: Particulate matter pollution can cause irritation of the eyes, custody of CPI(M) leader nose and throat, coughing, chest tightness and shortness of breath, reduced AGARTALA and recuperation. reiterated its recommenda­ report said. played an important role in ‘Doctor’, was known for his lung function, irregular heartbeat, asthma attacks, heart attacks and premature A Tripura court on Tuesday To boost the morale of the tions rejecting the govern­ Referring to suicides in the growth of the theatre progressive and rationalist death in people with heart or lung disease extended for three days the CAPFs, the committee insist­ ment’s explanation. The re­ the CAPFs, the committee movement in Maharashtra views, which he expressed judicial custody of former ed on limiting deputation of port of the 15­member urged the Ministry to put in post­Independence along without fear. CBI arrests retired Income Tax Commissioner Minister Badal Choudhury officers from the IPS and the committee, chaired by Con­ place an institutional me­ with Vijay Tendulkar, Vijaya Paying tribute to Dr. La­ NEW DELHI accused in the 2008 PWD armed forces to CAPFs at gress leader Anand Sharma, chanism with representa­ Mehta and Arvind Desh­ goo, Maharashtra CM Udd­ The CBI on Tuesday arrested retired Income Tax Commissioner scam. The special judge 25% and the CAPFs cadres on the action taken by the tives of the MHA, the Bureau pande. His roles in Marathi hav Thackeray said: “The Sanjay Kumar Srivastava, who was recently removed by the ordered the police to produce should be given an oppor­ Ministry of Home Affairs of Police Research and Deve­ plays such as Natsamrat Marathi theatre has lost its government on charges of passing backdated appeal orders as the CPI(M) leader in court on tunity to become the Direc­ (MHA) in respect of the func­ lopment, heads of various and Himalayachi Saoli, and beloved Natsamrat. There Commissioner of IT (Appeals) in Noida. The agency had earlier December 20 to decide on his tor General of respective tioning of the Border Guard­ forces and experts in public films such as Pinjra made were many before him and registered a case against the official for alleged criminal bail application. The sessions forces. The committee insist­ ing Forces was submitted in health, mental health, psy­ him popular. there would be many after conspiracy, cheating, forgery and corruption. It is alleged that the court had earlier rejected the ed on paying paramilitary the Rajya Sabha last week. chology and psychiatry to In Hindi, he essayed him, but there was nobody orders were backdated to December 2018, and 13 of them did not bail pleas of Mr. Choudhury. service pay to the CAPF on “The committee noted address the issue. memorable roles in films like him.” come under his jurisdiction. Govt. aims to provide broadband access to all villages by 2022

Special Correspondent including ₹70,000 crore NEW DELHI from Universal Service Obli­ The government on Tuesday gation Fund (USOF) in the announced a new ‘mission’ coming years and “address aimed at providing broad­ policy and regulatory chang­ band access to all villages by es required to accelerate the 2022, entailing an invest­ expansion and creation of ment of around ₹7 lakh crore digital infrastructure and from various stakeholders. services.” “The National Broadband ternet. Under the mission, “The vision of the nation­ Mission will facilitate univer­ the government plans to lay al broadband mission is to sal and equitable access to incremental 30 lakh route fast­track growth of digital broadband services across km of optical fibre cable, communications infrastruc­ the country, especially in ru­ while also increasing tower ture, bridge the digital di­ ral and remote areas,” Tele­ density from 0.42 to 1 tower vide, facilitate digital empo­ com and IT Minister Ravi per thousand of population werment and inclusion, and Shankar Prasad said. by 2024. provide affordable and un­ It would also aim at signif­ The mission envisages iversal access of broadband icantly improving quality of stakeholder investment of for all,” an official statement services for mobile and In­ $100 billion (₹7 lakh crore) said.

UIDAI drops monitoring agency plan

Legal Correspondent NEW DELHI The UIDAI on Tuesday in­ formed the Supreme Court about its decision to with­ draw its proposal to hire a ‘social media monitoring agency’. The nodal agency for Aadhaar conveyed its deci­ sion to a Bench of Justices S.K. Kaul and K.M. Joseph on a petition filed by Trina­ mool Congress MP Mahua Moitra, who alleged that the move was meant to “mount surveillance on so­ cial media platforms.” Ms. Moitra’s plea had said the UIDAI was seeking to hire a social media agen­ cy that will employ ‘online reputation management’ and ‘social listening’ tools to monitor and influence conversations on Aadhaar on Facebook and Twitter. CM YK