Communications & Information Technology on Environment: Lok Sabha 2013-14 Q. No. Q. Type Date Ans by Members Title of the Questions Subject Specific Political State Ministry Party Representati ve 684 27.02.2013 Communicatio Shri Anandrao Adsul Radiation from Mobile Pollution SS ns and Towers/Handsets Information Unstarred Technology Maharashtra Shri S. Pakkirappa Health and Sanitation BJP Karnataka *127 06.03.2013 Communicatio Shri Laxman Tudu Guidelines for Installation of BJD ns and Towers Information Starred Technology EIA Odisha Shri Dushyant Singh Pollution BJP Rajasthan 2644 13.03.2013 Communicatio Shri Jayant Chaudhary Radiation from Towers Pollution RLD Uttar Pradesh ns and Information Unstarred Technology BJP Madhya Shri Bhoopendra Singh Health and Sanitation Pradesh Shri A.K.S. Vijayan DMK Tamil Nadu Shri Syed Shahnawaz BJP Bihar Hussain Shri Dilip Kumar BJP Mansukhlal Gandhi Maharashtra Shri Suresh Kumar INC Andhra Shetkar Pradesh 641 07.08.2013 Communicatio Shri Nalin Kumar Kateel Radiation from Pollution BJP Karnataka ns and Towers/Handsets Information Unstarred Technology Shri Ratan Singh Health and Sanitation INC Rajasthan Shri S. R. Jeyadurai DMK Tamil Nadu Shri Purnmasi Ram JD(U) Bihar Shri Chandre D.B. Gowda BJP Karnataka 1480 14.08.2013 Communicatio Shri Jeetendra Singh Telecom Infrastructure for Disaster Management BJP Madhya ns and Bundela Disaster Management Pradesh Information Unstarred Technology Shri P. C. Mohan BJP Karnataka 2243* 18.12.2013 Communicatio Shri N.S.V. Chitthan Renewable Energy for Energy Studies INC Tamil Nadu ns and Telecom Towers Information Unstarred Technology Shri Anand Prakash SS Paranjpe Alternative Technologies Maharashtra Shri Bhaskarrao Bapurao INC Patil Maharashtra Shri M. Krishnasswamy INC Tamil Nadu Shri Eknath Mahadeo INC Gaikwad Maharashtra Shri Virender Kashyap BJP Himachal Pradesh Shri Rajaiah Siricilla INC Andhra Pradesh *218 Starred 05.02.2014 Communicatio Shri Haribhau Madhav Radiation from Mobile BJP ns and Jawale Towers Information Technology Health and Sanitation Maharashtra 2356 05.02.2014 Communicatio Shri Eknath Mahadeo Carbon Credit Policy for INC ns and Gaikwad Telecom Firms Information Climate Change and Unstarred Technology Meteorology Maharashtra Shri Sadashivrao Dadoba Ind. Mandlik Alternative Technologies Maharashtra Shri N.S.V. Chitthan Energy Studies INC Tamil Nadu Shri A. Ganeshamurthi MDMK Tamil Nadu 3385 12.02.2014 Communicatio Shri Bhartruhari Mahtab Norms for Installation of BJD ns and Mobile Towers Information Unstarred Technology Health and Sanitation Odisha Shri Gowdar BJP Karnataka Mallikarjunappa Siddeshwara Pollution Shri Sanjay Shamrao BJP Dhotre Maharashtra Dr. Nilesh Narayan Rane INC Maharashtra 4220 19.02.2014 Communicatio Shri Pradeep Majhi IT Research Academy Water Management INC ns and Information Unstarred Technology Odisha RADIATION FROM MOBILE TOWERS HANDSETS 27th February, 2013 LSQ 684 SHRI ANANDRAO VITHOBA ADSUL SHRI S. PAKKIRAPPA Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:- (a) whether a clampdown on mobile tower installation is leading to call drops problem in cities; (b) if so, the details thereof and the corrective measures proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard; (c) whether the weaker signals from mobile tower result in higher radiation from mobile handsets and subscribers are exposed to more electromagnetic radiation from the handset as its being closure to human body; (d) if so, the details thereof and the action taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to make norms for installation of mobile towers and manufacturing and sale of handsets more stringent; (e) whether the Government has made it mandatory to display radiation tag on mobile handsets; and (f) if so, the details thereof and the action taken against defaulters in this regard? THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI MILIND DEORA) (a) No Madam. Mobile towers and Base Transmitting Stations BTS) are being installed by the telecom service providers as per availability of users, spectrum and Radio Frequency planning. This is an ongoing process and telecom service providers augment their mobile network progressively so as to enhance coverage, capacity and to further improve the quality of service. Measures like BTS addition, capacity augmentation & up-gradation, antenna tilting, optimization of network and drive test are undertaken on a continuous basis to improve the mobile services. In 83 cases, where the base station emissions were found to be exceeding the prescribed radiation limits, corrective measures have been taken. (b) Nil, in view of (a) above (c) Madam. The weaker signals from mobile tower results in higher Transmission power from handsets and subscribers are exposed to more Radio Frequency (R.F) from handset as its being closure to human body. The Department has issued precautionary guidelines for mobile users “If the radio signal is weak, a mobile phone will increase its transmission power. Find a strong signal and avoid movement-use phone where reception is good” and published in National & Regional News papers placed at Annexure-A. Also available on DoT web site. (d) to (f): For mobile handsets, Department of Telecommunications has issued instructions Vide O.M. dated 25th January,2012 copy placed at Annexure-B and subsequent clarification vide O.M. dated 17th August 2012, for compliance of the following SAR (Specific Absorption Rate) limit copy placed at Annexure-C: (i) SAR level of the mobile handset shall be limited to 1.6Watt/Kg, averaged over mass of 1gram of human tissue. (ii) All the new design of mobile handsets shall comply with the SAR value of 1.6Watt/Kg, averaged over mass of 1gram of human tissue w.e.f. 1st September, 2012. However, the mobile handsets with existing designs which are compliant with 2.0W/Kg averaged over 10 gram tissue, may continue to co-exist up to 31st August 2013. (iii) From 1st September, 2013, only the mobile handsets with revised SAR value of 1.6 W/Kg would be permitted to be manufactured or imported in India for domestic market. Instructions, inter-alia, issued for inclusion of safety measures are as follows: (i) SAR value to be displayed on the handset like International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) display. (ii) All the handsets sold in India shall support hands free operation. (iii) Mobile handsets manufactured and sold in India or imported from other countries shall be checked for compliance of SAR limits. Self declaration of manufacturers for conformity to SAR level of mobile handsets and testing in ILAC (International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation) accredited labs shall continue to be enforced. (iv) Manufacturer’s booklet shall contain details of safety precautions. Telecom Engineering Centre New Delhi has established a state of art SAR lab for measurement of SAR of mobile hand sets. GUIDELINES FOR INSTALLATION OF TOWERS 6th March 2013 LSQ*127 SHRI LAXMAN TUDU SHRI DUSHYANT SINGH Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:- (a) the norms/guidelines laid down for installation of mobile towers; (b) whether a large number of mobile towers are installed near residential areas, public buildings, schools, etc.; (c) if so, the details of such towers, State/UT/Company-wise and the steps taken by the Government to remove these towers from such areas and also the action taken against the telecom operators for violation of norms in installation of such towers; (d) whether the Government has the records of the mobile towers installed without prior clearance from concerned bodies and local authorities in various parts of the country and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and (e) whether any compensation is provided/proposed to be provided to the persons affected by mobile radiation and if so, the details thereof and if not, the measures taken to minimize and neutralize the impact of radiation from mobile towers? THE MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI KAPIL SIBAL) (a) to (e) 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 (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 127 FOR 6TH MARCH, 2013 REGARDING “GUIDELINES FOR INSTALLATION OF TOWERS ” (a) As per existing policy for installation of mobile towers, Wireless Planning and 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. The siting clearance is issued without prejudice to applicable bylaws, rules and regulation of local bodies such as State Government/Municipal Corporation/Gram Panchayat etc. Accordingly, before installation of tower, the telecom service provider has to obtain the necessary permission from the respective local bodies such as Municipal Corporation/ Gram Panchayat etc. Further, DoT has issued a broad guideline for issue of clearances for installation of Mobile Towers and the same has been forwarded to the Chief Secretary of all the States on 23.08.2012. (b) & (c) As per the broad guidelines issued by DoT regarding installation of mobile towers, no restriction has been imposed on installation of tower on specific buildings such as residential areas, public buildings, schools etc. However, it has been prescribed in the guideline that there shall be no nearby buildings right in front of the antenna with height comparable to the lowest antenna on tower at a distance threshold as specified below: Sl No. Number of Building / Structure distance from the Multiple antennas antenna (safe distance) (in meters) 1 2 35 2 4 45 3 6 55 4 8 65 5 10 70 6 12 75 However, some of the State Governments have formulated their own guidelines for grant of permission for installation of mobile towers and have put specific restrictions and prohibitions on installation of mobile towers. The same has been contested in Supreme Court by various Telecom Service Providers.