Nationwide Monitoring of Mobile Tower Radiation Levels from November 16
– Sachin Pilot

The Union Minister of State for Communications & IT, Shri Sachin Pilot has said today that nationwide random testing of radiations emitted by mobile towers will commence from November 16, 2010 onwards by the Telecom Engineering and Resource Monitoring (TERM) Cells. The progress in this regard and compliance levels will be monitored centrally, and non-compliance will result in fines and penalties envisaged in existing guidelines and amended license conditions, including imposition of a penalty of Rs. 5 lakhs for each non-compliant tower, the Minister said.

The Electro Magnetic emissions of mobile towers in India are governed by the guidelines drawn from the recommendations of the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). The Minister had earlier directed that self-certification of radiation levels of all towers should be completed by the telecom operators and certificates to this effect should be submitted to the TERM Cells of the Department of Telecommunications by November 15, 2010. Earlier, in his meeting with the telecom companies and other stakeholders in August, 2010, Shri Pilot, while lauding their efforts in improving tele-density in the country, had underscored the importance of being sensitive to any health related issues that might arise from the operation of mobile phone towers.

SP/
(Release ID :66684)