Communications and Information Technology on Environment: 2012-13

Q. No. Q. Type Date Ans by Ministry Members Title of the Questions Subject Political State Specific Party Representative 1328 Unstarred 21.03.2012 Communications Shri Shripad Yesso BJP Goa and Information Naik Technology Shri Baijayant "Jay" Green Energy for Cell Alternative BJD Odisha Panda Towers Technologies Dr. Ponnusamy AIADMK Venugopal Shri G.V. Harsha INC Andhra Kumar Pradesh Shri Rajendra BJP Uttar Pradesh Agrawal Shri Prahlad Joshi BJP Karnataka Shri Nityananda BJD Odisha Pradhan 2511 Unstarred 28.03.2012 Communications Smt. Annu Tandon Policy for Installation Health and INC Uttar Pradesh and Information of Mobile Towers Sanitation Technology Shri P.R. Natarajan Pollution CPI(M) Tamil Nadu Shri Ashok Argal BJP Madhya Pradesh Shri Arjun Ram BJP Rajasthan Meghwal Shri P. Kumar AIADMK Tamil Nadu Smt. J. Shantha BJP Karnataka Shri Magunta INC Andhra Sreenivasulu Reddy Pradesh Shri Hamdullah INC Lakshadweep Sayeed 3367 Unstarred 25.04.2012 Communications Shri Nityananda Radiation Tag on Cell Health and BJD Odisha and Information Pradhan Phones Sanitation Technology Shri Baijayant "Jay" Pollution BJD Odisha

Panda Shri N. Chaluvaraya JD(S) Karnataka Swamy Shri Ganesh Singh BJP Madhya Pradesh 5405 Unstarred 09.05.2012 Communications Shri Gajanan Permission for EIA SS Maharashtra and Information Dharmshi Babar Installation of Towers Technology Wildlife Management 5514 Unstarred 09.05.2012 Communications Shri Nityananda Role of ICT in Climate Climate BJD Odisha and Information Pradhan Change Change and Technology Meteorology Disaster Management Environmental Education, NGOs and Media 3 Starred 08.08.2012 Communications Shri Anand Prakash Radiation from Mobile Health and SS Maharashtra and Information Paranjpe Towers and Handsets Sanitation Technology Shri Shailendra Pollution SP Uttar Pradesh Kumar 82 Unstarred 08.08.2012 Communications Dr. Sanjay Jaiswal Renewable Energy to Alternative BJP Bihar and Information Power Towers Technologies Technology Shri Datta Raghobaji Energy INC Maharashtra Meghe Studies 1736 Unstarred 22.08.2012 Communications Dr. Sanjay Jaiswal Green Energy for Alternative BJP Bihar and Information Mobile Towers Technologies Technology Shri Jayant Energy RLD Uttar Pradesh Chaudhary Studies Shri P.R. Natarajan CPI(M) Tamil Nadu Shri Rajendra BJP Uttar Pradesh Agrawal Shri Hemanand INC Odisha Biswal 1827 Unstarred 22.08.2012 Communications Shri Udayanraje Installation of Towers Environmental NCP Maharashtra

and Information Pratapsingh Bhonsle near Public Places Conservation Technology Shri Rakesh Singh EIA BJP Madhya Pradesh Shri Asaduddin AIMIM Andhra Owaisi Pradesh Shri Manicka Tagore INC Tamil Nadu Shri Laxman Tudu BJD Odisha Shri Jayawant INC Maharashtra Gangaram Awale Shri Dharmendra SP Uttar Pradesh Yadav Shri Anandrao Adsul SS Maharashtra Shri Arjun Ram BJP Rajasthan Meghwal Shri Adagooru INC Karnataka Huchegowda Vishwanath Rajkumari Ratna INC Uttar Pradesh Singh Shri Lalchand Kataria INC Rajasthan Shri Bhartruhari BJD Odisha Mahtab Shri Rajendra BJP Uttar Pradesh Agrawal Smt. Kamla Devi BJP Chhattisgarh Patle Shri Shivkumar BJP Karnataka Chanabasappa Udasi Sardar Partap Singh INC Punjab Bajwa Shri Gajanan SS Maharashtra Dharmshi Babar Shri Shivaji Adhalrao SS Maharashtra Patil

GREEN ENERGY FOR CELL TOWERS 21st March, 2012

LSQ 1328

SHRI SHRIPAD YESSO NAIK SHRI BAIJAYANT "JAY" PANDA DR. PONNUSAMY VENUGOPAL SHRI G.V. HARSHA KUMAR SHRI RAJENDRA AGRAWAL SHRI PRAHLAD JOSHI SHRI NITYANANDA PRADHAN

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:-

(a) whether the telecom companies are using subsidized diesel to power their cell phone towers in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the amount of money spent annually on diesel by the telecom sector;

(c) the estimated quantity of diesel consumed for the purpose during each of the last three years and the current year, company-wise;

(d) whether the Government proposes to make green energy mandatory for powering the cell phone towers;

(e) if so, the details thereof alongwith the provisions made/likely to be made in this regard in New Telecom Policy and its likely impact on mobile tariff; and

(f) the initiatives being taken to control the increasing consumption of subsidized diesel by the telecom sector along with the guidelines prepared by TRAI towards green telecom?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI MILIND DEORA)

(a) No Madam. Telecom companies are using the diesel available in the market to power their cell phone towers in the country.

(b) Does Not arise, in view of (a) above.

(c) There is no actual data available. However, TRAI in its report has indicated an average fuel consumption of 8760 litres diesel every year per tower assuming 8 hours of operation by Diesel Generator sets and there are 5.27 lakhs towers in the country.

(d) Yes, Madam.

(e) The Government of has accepted the TRAI recommendation on powering the cell phone towers by green energy:

(i) At-least 50% of all rural towers & 20% of urban towers are to powered by renewable energy technologies (Renewable Energy Technologies (RET)+ Grid power) by 2015 and 75% of rural towers & 33% of urban towers are to be powered with (RET+ Grid power) by 2020.

(ii) Provisions are likely to be made in the National Telecom Policy (NTP) for adoption of green policy in telecommunication sector and incentivize the use of renewable energy sources. This will result towards substantially reducing the consumption of diesel by telecom sector.

(f) Government directives have been issued vide Department Of Telecommunications order No. 800-61/2012-VAS dated 23.01.2012 to promote Green Telecommunications that will result in reduction of consumption of diesel in Telecom sector (Annexure A).

Government of India Ministry of Communications & IT Department of Telecommunications Sanchar Bhawan, 20-Ashoka Road, Hew Deihi-110001 {Access Services No. 800-61/2012A/AS Dated 23 .01.2012 To. All CIWTS/UASL/Basic Service Licensees including BSNL and MTNL Subject: Implementation of Green Technologies in Telecom Sector. To promote Green Telecommunications, TRAI had issued recommendations on 'Approach towards Green Telecommunications'. Government of India has accepted the TRAI recommendations and decided to adopt measures to green the telecommunication sector setting broad directions and .goals to achieve the desired reduction in carbon emission through the use of Renewable Energy Technologies and energy efficient equipments. 2. Accordingly, the following directions are hereby issued to the licensees for implementation with immediate efFect: (i) At least 50% of all rural towers and 20% of the urban towers are to be powered by hybrid power (Renewable Energy Technologies (RET) + Grid" power) by 2015, while 75% of rural towers and 33% of urban towers are to be powered, by hybrid power by 2020. (ii) All telecom products, equipments and services in the telecom network should be Energy and performance assessed and certified "Green Passport [GP]" utilizing the ECR's Rating and the Energy 'passport' determined by the year 2015. (iii) TEC shall be the nodal centre that will certify telecom products, equipments and services on the basis of ECR ratings. TEC may either appoint independent certifying agencies under its guidance or shall certify the same through their Quality Assurance teams. TEC shall prepare and bring out the 'ECR Document' delineating the specifics of the test procedures and the measurement methodology utilized. (iv) All service providers should declare to TRAI, the carbon footprint of their network operations in the format prescribed by TRAI. This declaration should be undertaken after adopting the formulae and procedures prescribed by TRAI. The Declaration of the carbon footprints should be done twice in a year i.e. half yearly report for the period ending September to be submitted by 15th of November and the succeeding half yearly report for the period ending March to be submitted by 15th of May each year. (v) Service providers should adopt a Voluntary Code of Practice encompassing energy efficient Network Planning, infra-sharing, deployment of energy efficient technologies and adoption of Renewable Energy Technology (RET) including the following elements: (a) The network operators should progressively induct carefully designed and optimized energy efficient radio networks thai reduce overall power and energy consumption. (b) Service providers should endeavour to ensure that the total power consumption of each BTS will not exceed 500W by the year 2020 for 2+2+2 configuration of BTS. TEC shall regularly standardize and prescribe specifications for Telecom Equipments of different Technologies with respect to power consumption levels. Service providers should adhere to the TEC specifications in order to reduce the total power consumption of BTS. (c) A phased programme should be put in place by the telecom service providers to have their ceil sites, particularly in the rural areas, powered by hybrid renewable sources including wind energy, solar energy, fuel cells or a combination thereof. The eventual goal under this phased programme is to ensure that around 50% of all towers in the rural areas are powered by hybrid renewable sources by the year 2015. (d) Service providers through their associations should consensually evolve the voluntary code of practice and submit the same to TRAl within three months from the date of issue of this letter. (vi) Service providers should evolve a 'Carbon Credit Policy' in line with carbon credit norms with the ultimate objective of achieving a maximum of 50% over the carbon footprint levels of the Base Year in rural areas and achieving a maximum of 66% over the carbon footprint levels of the Base Year in urban areas by the year 2020. The base year for calculating all existing carbon footprints would be 2011, with an implementation period of one year. Hence the first year of carbon reduction would be the year 2012. (vii) Based on the details of footprints declared by all service providers, service providers should aim at Carbon emission reduction targets for the mobile network at 5% by the year 2012-2013, 8% by the year 2014-2015, 12% by the year 2016-2017 and 17% by the year 2018-2019, 3. Necessary compliance be reported to DoT and TRAl as mentioned above from time to time. (P.C.Sharma) Director (AS-II) Copy to: 1. PPS to Member(T). 2. Secretary, TRAl. 3. Advisor(T) / Advisor(O) / Advisor(Finance), DoT. 4. Sr. DDG(TEC), Sr. DDG(BW), Sr. DDG(AS). 5. JS(T), DDG(CS), DDG(DS), DDG(LF-I), DDG(LF-II)

POLICY FOR INSTALLATION OF MOBILE TOWERS

28th March, 2012

LSQ 2511

SMT. ANNU TANDON SHRI P.R. NATARAJAN SHRI ASHOK ARGAL SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHWAL SHRI P. KUMAR SMT. J. SHANTHA SHRI MAGUNTA SREENIVASULU REDDY SHRI HAMDULLAH SAYEED

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:- (a) the policy of the Government for installation of network towers at private places, residences, commercial centres and near schools and high densely populated areas alongwith the safety norms followed in this regard; (b) whether cases of accidents due to the said towers have come to light in the country; (c) if so, the details thereof; (d) whether the radiation limit of mobile towers and the mobile phone is higher in India than the international standard of other countries; (e) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor: (f) the details of mechanism in place to check the radiation limit of mobile towers and the mobile handsets; and (g) the action taken by the Government on the above aspects alongwith the action taken against the telecom companies/mobile phone manufacturers for violation of established norms?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI MILIND DEORA)

(a) Madam, as per the existing policy for installation of towers, Wireless Planning & Coordination (WPC) wing of Department of Telecommunications (DoT) issues siting clearance for installation of mobile towers for each and every site from the point of view of interference with other wireless users, aviation hazards and obstruction to any other existing microwave links. As such, there is no separate guidelines for installation of towers at private places, residences, commercial centres, near schools and high densely populated areas. However, siting clearances of DoT are issued without prejudice to other applicable bylaws, rule and regulations of local bodies such as municipal corporation, Gram Panchayat etc. Accordingly, before installation of tower, the telecom service providers have to obtain necessary clearances from concerned local authorities such as municipal corporation, Gram Panchayat etc. Various local bodies/State Government have formulated their own policy including safety norms regarding grant of such permissions for installation of mobile towers.

(b)&(c) As intimated by Telecom Enforcement, Resource & Monitoring (TERM) Cells, no such incidents have been reported, (d)&(e) DoT has adopted the International norms in respect of Electro Magnetic Field (EMF) Radiation from mobile towers and Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) for mobile phones prescribed by International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). (f) All the Cellular Mobile Telephone Service (CMTS)/ Unified Access Service (UAS) licensees have been directed for compliance of the prescribed reference limits/ levels by way of self certification of their Base Transmitting Station (BTS) for meeting the EMF radiations norms vide letter dated 8th April 2010. As per the directions issued vide letter dated 8th April, 2010, all BTSs shall be self certified as meeting the radiation norm and self certification is submitted to respective TERM Cells of DoT. All new BTS sites starts radiating only after self certificate has been submitted to relevant TERM Cells. The TERM Cell tests up to 10% of BTS sites randomly at its discretion. Additionally, the BTS sites against which there are public complaints are also tested by TERM Cell. For the mobile handsets, DoT, vide letter dated 01.09.2008, has notified for compliance of Mobile Handsets being manufactured in India to conform to ICNIRP prescribed Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) limit of 2 W/kg in the frequency range of 10 MHz to 10 GHz and has taken following steps for compliance of SAR value for mobile phones: (i) Indigenous manufacturers of mobile handsets have been instructed to comply with ICNIRP guidelines and furnish self-certificate. (ii) Mobile handsets manufacturers have been instructed to indicate the level of radiation on the product itself and to clearly communicate the potential danger of mobile phone radiation and exposure.

(iii) To regulate indigenous as well as imported mobile phone, Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS) has been requested to frame standards for all mobile phones under BIS Act 1986. (g) As on 31.12.2011, Telecom Service Providers have submitted the self certificate for 6,80,630 BTSs certifying that the radiation levels are within the prescribed norms. TERM cells have started the testing of Electromagnetic Radiation levels of mobile tower and as on 31.12.2011, total 14,610 BTSs have checked and all are found to be conforming to prescribed radiation norms. Further, an Inter-ministerial committee consisting of officers from DoT, Indian Council of Medical Research, Ministry of Health, Department of Biotechnology and Ministry of Environment and Forest was constituted on 24.08.2010 to examine the effect of EMF Radiation from base stations and mobile phones.

The recommendations made by Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) have been accepted and issued vide letter dated 17.11.2011. The following action has been taken by DoT for implementation of the IMC recommendations: (i) Norms for exposure limit for the Radio Frequency Field (Base Station Emissions) has been reduced to \/\0& of the existing limits prescribed by ICNIRP. Directions in this regard has been issued to the Mobile Operators vide DoT letter no. 800-15/2010-VAS(pt.) dated 30.12.2011. These directions are effective from 01.04.2012. (ii) Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) level for Mobile Handset has been revised from 2 watt per Kg. to 1.6 Watt per Kg. Directions in this regard including other recommendations related to Mobile Handset have been issued to Mobile Handset Manufacturers vide DoT letter no. 18-10/2008-IP dated 25.01.2012 . These directions shall be effective from 01.09.2012.

RADIATION TAG ON CELL PHONES 25th April, 2012

LSQ 3367

SHRI NITYANANDA PRADHAN SHRI BAIJAYANT "JAY" PANDA SHRI N. CHALUVARAYA SWAMY SHRI GANESH SINGH

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government has proposed certain legally binding on emission limit from mobile towers and mobile handsets, imported or manufactured in the country; (b) if so, the details thereof and the action taken in this regard so far; (c) whether the Government proposes to ask the cell phones manufacturing companies to put radiation tags on cell phones; and (d) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the manufacturing companies thereto?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI MILIND DEORA)

(a) Yes Madam (b) (i) The Electro Magnetic Field (EMF) exposure radiation norms to be followed by Unified Access Service Licensees/Cellular Mobile Telephone Service licensees from Base Transceiver Stations have been prescribed by amending license conditions vide letter No.842-998/2008-AS-IV/13 dated 4th November 2008. Thereafter, exposure limit for the radio frequency field (Base Station Emissions) have been lowered to 1/10th of the earlier exposure levels vide letter No.800-15/2010-VAS(pt) dated 30.12.2011 as further amended vide letter dated 10.04.2012. The new norms will come into effect from 01.09.2012. (ii) Department of Telecommunication has adopted SAR (Specific Absorption Rate) level for mobile handset as 1.6 Watt/Kg averaged over a mass of 1 gram of human tissue. All the indigenous manufacturers have been instructed vide OM No.18-10/08-IP dated 25th January 2012 to make necessary changes in the design, software and packaging for compliance of above instructions on or before 01.09.2012. To regulate indigenous as well as imported mobile phone, Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS) has been requested to frame standards for all mobile phones under the BIS Act 1986. All cell-phone handsets sold in the market in India shall comply with relevant Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS) standard. (c) Yes Madam. (d) All the indigenous manufacturers have been instructed vide O. M. No. 18-10/2008-IP dated 25th January 2012 to display Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) value on the mobile handsets on or before 01.09. 2012.

Indian Cellular Association (ICA), representing indigenous mobile phone manufacturing companies, favours adoption of a reasonable and practicable standard which is consonant with world practice and human health standards.

PERMISSION FOR INSTALLATION OF TOWERS 9th May, 2012

LSQ 5405

SHRI BABAR GAJANAN DHARMSHI

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:- (a) whether it is mandatory for all cellphone operators to seek prior sanction from the Wildlife Division under the Ministry of Environment and Forests before installing their communication towers; (b) if so, whether the Government is aware that some cell phone operators are violating these guidelines; and (c) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken/being taken by the Government in this regard?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI MILIND DEORA)

(a) Madam, it is not mandatory for all cell phone operators to seek prior sanction from the Wildlife Division under the Ministry of Environment and Forests before installing their communication towers. (b) & (c) Does not arise in view of (a) above.

ROLE OF ICT IN CLIMATE CHANGE 9th May, 2012

LSQ 5514

SHRI NITYANANDA PRADHAN

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:-

(a) whether as per National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM) assessment, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector may help meet climate change goals; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) whether this sector proposes to concentrate on the changes taking plae in the environments i.e. natural disasters and extreme events like heat waves, etc.; (d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether apart from reducing carbon-emission, ICT also assist in sectors like power, roads, water transport; and (f) if so, the details of the benefits of this system?

MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI SACHIN PILOT)

(a) and (b): NASSCOM in association with TERI (The Energy and Resource Institute) have compiled a report on `Sustainable Tomorrow: Harnessing ICT Potential`. The report is an attempt to bring together the entire ecosystem of users and providers of IT applications and services that can help meet the goals of climate change and environment sustainability. The summary of Report is available at: http://www/nasscom.m/sustainabie-tomorrow- harnessing-ice-potential for registered users. (c) and (d): IT Industry has many solutions to assist Emergency Response, in the event of natural disasters including floods, earthquakes. ICT Solution help in predicting disaster, managing disaster operation and post disaster relief management. Some of the projects initiated by Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C- DAC) a society under Department of Electronics & Information Technology in this area are listed in Annexure-!. (e) and (f): With its impact in raising productivity and increasing efficiency in delivery of services, Information Communication Technology and Electronics (ICTE) has come to be accepted as a key enabler in development and is globally being accepted as a `Meta-resource`.

The transportation sector including power, road and water transport benefits immensely by the application of suitable Electronics/ICT technologies by way of having higher efficiency of transport vehicles, energy conservation and better quality of ride. ICT applications for road traffic can result in improvement in operational efficiency, safety and reduction in traffic congestion, which in turn helps in reducing overall energy consumption. Further, ICT intervention in buildings can result in energy conservation. Some of the projects initiated by Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY) in the above areas are listed in Annexure-II. Annexure -1 LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5514 FOR 09.05.2012 1. Establishment of HPC Facility for Early Warning System for Dissemination of Scientific Data to publicize hazard related information on a real time basis at NEIST, Jorbat Duration: September 2007 to August 2009 Major objectives of the project were: # Seismic hazard zoning for land use planning and urban development, hazard reduction for sustainable development and improving the quality of life and economy of the society. # Monitoring of mega-engineering structures and reservoirs, studies related to seismic precursors and rupture behavior in rocks, nature of ground shaking and effects on manmade structures and development of a prototype early warning system. # Research and development in other fields of science and engineering such as bio- informatics, chemistry, climatology, structural mechanics etc. # Meteorological services for agriculture in Norh East Region. 2. Near - Real Time Flood Monitoring in Brahmaputra Valley using Microwave Remote Sensing Duration: September 2008 to May 2011 Objective and brief description: # Developing a system for understanding satellite data and deriving flood related information for the end user in near real response time # Development, compilation and dissemination of comprehensive, unified and timely data for post flood disaster management # Development of GIS maps for damage assessment and cross-referenced table of damage of extent # Development of simple and user friendly query-based web application One of the important causes for frequent occurrence of flood in North Eastern Region of India is the extremely dynamic monsoon rainfall regime in the backdrop of the unique Physiographic setting. Timely information about floods provides strong indicators of a forthcoming disaster, but owing to the unpredictability of the behavior of the Brahmaputra River and with increased incidences of anthropogenic activities on it real time estimations of the aftermath will help to reduce, manage and control the increasing extent of the disaster. The principal aim of the project is to attempt at near-real time flood monitoring in the Brahmaputra basin. The project also aims at designing and developing a system for understanding the microwave data and deriving flood related information for damage assessment for the end user in real response time. FRS (Flood Response System) a web-based system has been developed for Brahmaputra River Basin region used in the following ways: # Identify the flood inundated area in for the study area, viz. Lakhimpur, in the Brahmaputra River Basin # Generate report of the flood affected habitations and its socio-economic details. FRS has been installed at the National Informatics Center (NIC) server at District Collector's Office North Lakhimpur Annexure - II 1. Area Traffic Control System Indigenously developed hardware and software in this project was successfully implemented in Pune. Subsequently, the technology has been transferred to several companies who in turn have commercially implemented these technologies in Jaipur, Kolkata, Ahmedabad and Pune. 2. Power Electronics Technology for Railway Applications As a part of the National Mission on Power Electronics Technology (NaMPET) initiative, these solutions have been implemented for Indian Railways. 3. Technology for Improvement of Electric Power Quality Specific hardware called STATCOM has been developed and deployed in field for improvement of quality of electric power which benefits IT installations, medical instrumentation, etc. 4. Intelligent Transportation System This umbrella project is being implemented in association with major academic institutes for specific applications like Wireless Traffic Control System, Parking Lot Management, Red Light Violation System, Advanced Travelers' Information System, Intelligent Trip Planning, etc. 5. Development of ICT Technologies for Smart Buildings with Low Carbon Emissions. The objective of the project is to develop technologies and tools for design, development and maintenance of illumination control, HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning), Air Quality measurement and Control System for Buildings. The project is being implemented at CDAC, and CDAC, Bangalore.

RADIATION FROM MOBILE TOWERS AND HANDSETS 8th August, 2012

LSQ *3

SHRI ANAND PRAKASH PARANJPE SHRI SHAILENDRA KUMAR

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:-

(a) whether the Government has set up any committee to study the hazards posed by non-ionised radiations including electromagnetic from mobile towers and handsets;

(b) if so, the details thereof along with the composition of the committee;

(c) whether the committee has submitted its report;

(d) if so, the salient features thereof and the details of the guidelines issued by the Government thereon;

(e) whether the Government has taken note of failure of telecom operators in adhering to the norms fixed by the Government in regard to radiation limit in installation of towers and maintaining of proper distance from residential and public places; and

(f) if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Government against the erring telecom operators, operator- wise?

THE MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI KAPIL SIBAL)

(a) to (f) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT TO BE LAID ON THE TABLE OF THE LOK SABHA IN RESPECT OF PARTS (a) TO (f) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 3 FOR 8TH AUGUST, 2012 REGARDING “RADIATION FROM MOBILE TOWERS AND HANDSETS”

(a) & (b) Yes, Madam. An Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) consisting of officers from Department of Telecommunications, Indian Council of Medical Research (Ministry of Health & Family Welfare), Department of Biotechnology and Ministry of Environment and Forest was constituted on 24.08.2010 to examine the effect of Electromagnetic Field (EMF) Radiation from base stations and mobile phones.

(c) & (d) Yes, Madam. IMC has inter-alia recommended for lowering of the Base Transmitting Station (BTS) Radio Frequency (RF) exposure limits to 1/10th of the existing International Commission on Non Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) prescribed limit and reduction of Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) level for mobile handsets from 2 Watt/Kg to 1.6 Watt/Kg. These recommendations of IMC have been accepted by DoT and the following directions for implementation have been issued:

(i) Directions for lowering of the mobile towers EMF radiation to 1/10th of the existing prescribed limits has been issued to the Mobile Operators vide DoT letter dated 30.12.2011. These directions are effective from 01.09.2012.

(ii) Directions for reduction of SAR value from 2 Watt/Kg to 1.6 Watt/Kg for Mobile Handset have been issued to Mobile Handset Manufacturers vide DoT letter dated 25.01.2012 . These directions are effective from 01.09.2012.

(e) & (f) All the Cellular Mobile Telephone Service (CMTS)/ Unified Access Service (UAS) licensees are submitting the compliance of the existing reference limits/ levels by way of submission of self certification of their BTS to the respective Telecom Enforcement Resource & Monitoring (TERM) Cells of DoT. As on 30.06.2012, TERM Cells have carried out the testing of radiation levels for 28,862 BTSs and found that the radiations levels are in compliance of the prescribed levels in all the tested BTSs.

RENEWABLE ENERGY TO POWER TOWERS

8th August, 2012

LSQ 82

DR. SANJAY JAISWAL SHRI DATTA RAGHOBAJI MEGHE

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:-

(a) the number of mobile towers that are powered by electricity and diesel generators in the country, State-wise;

(b) whether the Government has initiated or proposes to initiate any concrete scheme to check pilferage of diesel and also power these mobile towers on green energy sources till 2015 as per recommendations of Telecom Regulatory Authority; and

(c) if so, the details thereof and the achievements made so far alongwith the targets fixed for 2015?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI MILIND DEORA)

(a) All the mobile towers are being powered by Electricity and diesel generator sets are used as backup power supply when grid power in not available. The number of mobile Base Terminal Stations in the country state-wise is placed at Annexure ‘A’.

(b) & (c) Diesel is being used to run the generator sets to power Mobile Base Terminal Stations as standby power supply. Diesel generator sets are installed by the mobile operators owning the Base Terminal Stations (BTS). Necessary controls are being exercised to check pilferage.

To examine the technical feasibility and financial viability of solar wind based power system, pilot project of solar & solar-wind hybrid system to power the Mobile Base Terminal Stations have been carried out.

The TRAI recommendations on Green Energy applications have been approved by government and Department has issued following directives to the licensees/ all ILD service providers to adopt measures to green the Telecom sector setting broad directions & goals:

(i) At least 50% of all rural towers and 20% of the urban towers are to be powered by hybrid power (Renewable Energy Technologies (RET) + Grid Power) by 2015, while 75% of rural towers and 33% of urban towers are to be powered by hybrid power by 2020.

(ii) The Service Providers to ensure that the total power consumption of each BTS will not exceed 500W by the year 2020.

(iii) A phased programme should be put in place by the telecom service providers to have their cell sites, particularly in the rural areas, powered by hybrid renewable sources including wind energy, solar energy, fuel cells or a combination thereof. The eventual goal under this phased programme is to ensure that around 50% of all towers in the rural areas are powered by hybrid renewable sources by the year 2015.

(iv) Based on the details of footprints declared by all service providers, service providers should aim at Carbon Emission reduction targets for the mobile network at 5% by the year 2012-13, 8% by the year 2014-15, 12% by the year 2016-17 and 17% by the year 2018-19.

ANNEXURE-A LOK SABHA ANNEXURE UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 82 DATED 08-08-2012

Licensed Service Area/ State No. of BTS S. No. 13695 1 Assam

59226 2 Andhra Pradesh

43982 3 Bihar

20804 4 Chennai

21577 5 Delhi

44902 6 Gujarat

17349 7 Haryana

7274 8 Himachal Pradesh

10214 9 Jammu & Kashmir

53429 10 Karnataka

34787 11 Kerala

18391 12 Kolkata

44102 13 Madhya Pradesh

61684 14 Maharashtra

27784 15 Mumbai

7001 16 North East

21684 17 Orissa

26319 18 Punjab

34157 19 Rajasthan

47143 20 Tamil Nadu

45254 21 Uttar Pradesh (East) 38666 22 Uttar Pradesh (West) 29239 23 West Bengal

728663 Total

GREEN ENERGY FOR MOBILE TOWERS 22nd August, 2012

LSQ 1736

DR. SANJAY JAISWAL SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY SHRI P.R. NATARAJAN SHRI RAJENDRA AGRAWAL

SHRI HEMANAND BISWAL

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:-

(a) the number of mobile towers in the country which are powered by Renewable Energy Sources or Green Energy, operator-wise including BSNL and State-wise; (b) whether the Government has worked out the capital requirement and incentive for use of Renewable Energy Technology (RET) in view of the high upfront cost; (c) if so, the details thereof; and (d) the time by which the RET powered Mobile Towers are likely to be operational in the country? (e) THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI MIUND DEORA)

(a) The number of mobile towers in the country powered with Renewable Energy Sources are, BSNL- 20 (Gujarat - 1, Karnataka - 1, Maharashtra - 2, Orissa - 1, Tamilnadu- 1, Bihar- 1, Chhattisgarh- l,Haryana-2, Jammu & Kashmir - 1, Jharkhand - 1, Punjab - 1, Rajasthan - 1, West Bengal - 1, North East - 3, Kerala - 2) MTNL-1 (Delhi-1) Other Mobile Operators - 4000 (around)# # The breakup state-wise and operator-wise are not available. (b) Yes Madam, Government has undertaken 20 pilot projects on Renewable Energy Technology and has worked out the capital requirement for use of Renewable Energy Technology in telecom sector. No incentive scheme exists for use of Renewable Energy Technology in telecom sector at present. (c) Capital required for use of Renewable Energy Technologies to power one Mobile Base Terminal Station is Rs. 10-12 Lakhs. (d) BSNL - 104 Renewable Energy Technology powered mobile towers are likely to be operational by 31 October 2012. The TRA1 recommendations on Green Energy applications have been approved by Government and Department issued directives to the licensees / all ILO service providers to adopt measures to green the Telecom sector by Hybrid power [Renewable energy technologies (RET) + Grid power] of at least 50% of all rural towers and 20% of urban towers by 3015 and 75% of rural towers and 33% of urban towers by 2020.

INSTALLATION OF TOWERS NEAR PUBLIC PLACES 22nd August, 2012

LSQ 1827

SHRI UDAYANRAJE PRATAPSINGH BHONSLE SHRI RAKESH SINGH SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI SHRI MANICKA TAGORE SHRI LAXMAN TUDU SHRI JAYAWANT GANGARAM AWALE SHRI DHARMENDRA YADAV SHRI ANANDRAO ADSUL SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHWAL SHRI ADAGOORU HUCHEGOWDA VISHWANATH RAJKUMARI RATNA SINGH SHRI LALCHAND KATARIA SHRI BHARTRUHARI MAHTAB SHRI RAJENDRA AGRAWAL SMT. KAMLA DEVI PATLE SHRI SHIVKUMAR CHANABASAPPA UDASI SARDAR PARTAP SINGH BAJWA SHRI GAJANAN DHARMSHI BABAR SHRI SHIVAJI ADHALRAO PATIL

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:-

(a) whether the mobile towers have reportedly been installed without obtaining prior clearance from concerned authorities in various parts of the country during the last three years and the current year, operator-wise and State- wise; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) whether the Government has issued directions for shifting of mobile towers which have been installed near public places, schools and residential areas on the grounds of the safety of public from the harmful effect of Electro Magnetic Field (EMF) radiation; (d) if so, the details thereof along with the number of such towers shifted so far and if not, the reasons therefor; and (e) the action taken by the Government against the telecom operators for violation of norms/guidelines issued by Government from time to time, operator-wise?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRIMILIND DEORA)

(a) & (b) For installation of any Mobile Tower, a Service Provider Company has to obtain siting clearance from the technical angle issued by this Ministry from flying hazards, line-of site obstruction and RF interference view - points only. Towers are to be installed after obtaining site clearance by this Ministry. However, siting clearance is issued by this Ministry without prejudice to other applicable byelaws, rules and regulations of Local bodies such as Municipal Corporation, Gram Panchayats etc. Therefore, before installation of towers, Service Providers are also required to obtain necessary clearances from concerned local authorities/State Govt. bodies. There have been some complaints regarding some towers being installed without obtaining requisite clearance from local authorities concerned. It is for the local authorities to take action against these agencies concerned in such situation. However, such cases are not monitored by this Ministry.

(c) & (d): No Madam. (e): None of the mobile towers tested for Electromagnetic radiation (EMR) compliance till 30.06. 2012 were exceeding the EMR limits as per license condition.