Gurugram, 1st April, 2017: An awareness programme was organised by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Min. of Communications on Electromagnetic Field (EMF) Emissions and Mobile Towers today at Gurugram. This is part of a nationwide public outreach campaign to dispel myths about EMF Emissions and quell unfounded fears of citizens through scientific evidence.
Shri N K Chhoker, DDG TERM, Delhi; Shri V Umashankar, Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Gurugram, Dr. T K Joshi, Advisor to Health Ministry, Govt. of India, Mr. Hardeep Singh, Deputy Commissioner, Gurugram, Mr. Yashpal Yadav, Administrator – HUDA graced the occasion as the Speakers of this programme. Sh. V. Umashankar, Commissioner, Municipal Corporation Gurugram presided over the function as Chief Guest Senior officers from the Central Government, State of Haryana, eminent persons and public representatives were also present. An expert panel comprising of telecom officers and doctors presented the scientific facts clarifying various myths on possible health hazards from mobile tower radiation.
Delivering the welcome address, Shri V K Roy, Director, TERM said that there is no scientific evidence backing the claim that EMF radiation from mobile towers, which are below the safe limits prescribed by the International Commission on Non-ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) and recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), can cause adverse health effects.
The DoT has already prescribed strict precautionary norms for exposure limit for the Radio Frequency Field (Base Station Emissions) which is ten times more stringent than the existing limits prescribed by ICNIRP and recommended by WHO. “Our EMF norms are much stricter than what is followed by many developed nations. Further, the Government of India has taken adequate steps to ensure that Telecommunications Service Providers strictly adhere to these prescribed norms”, Shri Roy added.
Shri V Umashankar, Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Gurugram presided over the function as Chief Guest and congratulated Department of Telecom for organising this EMF awareness program and connecting with the public. He stated that such awareness programs would act as a confidence building measure between the authorities and public and help in removing the myths in the minds of public. He also said that benefits of wireless communication technology should reach to the last man of the society and the society should understand the facts and myths in this regard. Lots of misconceptions and myths hinders the progress and growth of the society, which are largely based on unsubstantiated reports. He emphasized the need to bridge the gap between the DoT, Local bodies, Public and other stake holders of the society for the speedier resolution of the issues relating to mobile towers. He announced the formation of District Committee for speedier disposal of grievances relating to mobile towers in Gurugram in line with the DoT guidelines issued in this regard.
Shri N K Chhoker, DDG TERM, elaborated the role of TERM Cell and mechanism to ensure EMF Compliance in Delhi NCR Area. He also informed about various processes followed by TERM Cell for ensuring compliance in this regard. “Strict monitoring and enforcement mechanism has been put in place by the DoT for EMF-related compliances. In case any BTS site is found to violate prescribed EMF norms, actions are taken to put a penalty of Rs. 10 lakh per BTS per incidence,including closing of BTS site in case violation persists.”
Shri N K Chhoker, DDG, TERM, New Delhi concluded, that towers in the Delhi NCR Area are safe and TERM Cell is fully committed and geared to ensure compliance of guidelines designed for safeguarding our citizens. He also conveyed sincere thanks to Mr. V Umashankar for formation of district committee for redressal of complaints regarding mobile towers.
Dr. T K Joshi, Advisor to Ministry of Health, Govt of India referred to the EMF Project established by WHO, in which over 50 national authorities and 8 international organizations are involved. He He said that together, since 1996, they have been reviewing scientific information to provide scientifically sound and objective answers to public concerns about the possible hazards of low-level electromagnetic fields. Despite extensive research, to date there is no evidence to conclude that exposure to low-level electromagnetic fields is harmful to human health.
Mr. Hardeep Singh, Deputy Commissioner, Gurugram, emphasised that major complaints from residents are due to myths and lack of clarity and perception based on unsubstantiated reports. Such awareness sessions should be conducted in future and at regular intervals.
Mr. Yashpal Yadav, Administrator – HUDA welcomed holding of such awareness sessions by DoT and creating awareness amongst all stake holders.
Thereafter, the panel consisting of Shri N K Chhoker, DDG TERM, Delhi; Shri V Umashankar, Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Gurugram, Dr. T K Joshi, Advisor to Health Ministry, Govt. of India and Mr. V K Roy, Director TERM DoT, New Delhi answered questions raised from audience.
The Session concluded with vote of Thanks by Sh. Nijamuddin, ADG, TERM Cell, New Delhi and conveyed heartiest thanks to all for gracing the function and making it successful.
Also based on the request by RWA Secretary of Sushant lok, Mr. J P Gupta, a EMF testing was carried out by TERM Cell Delhi at one Mobile Tower site in Sushant Lok Appt in the presence of representatives of HUDA and RWA. The measure value of this was found to be 0.025 Watt/ Sq mtr , which much lower than the limits which is 0.45 Watt/ Sq mtr as prescribed by the Deptt of Telecommunication for EMF exposure.
About the Department of Telecommunication (DoT)
The Department of Telecommunications, abbreviated to DoT, is part of the Ministry of Communications of the executive branch of the Government of India. Its mission is to develop a robust and secure state-of-the-art telecommunication network providing seamless coverage with special focus on rural and remote areas for bridging the digital divide and thereby facilitate socio- economic development; create an inclusive knowledge society through proliferation of affordable and high quality broadband services across the nation; reposition the mobile device as an instrument of socio-economic empowerment of citizens; make India a global hub for telecom equipment manufacturing; promote development of new standards to meet national requirements; attract investment, both domestic and foreign and promote creation of jobs.