After a random test conducted by the officials at a location in Mumbai, seven telecom operators including RCom, Airtel, Tata Tele services Maharashtra and Vodafone have been found violating the radiation norms. The radiation norms are supposed to be followed by the telecom operators, which have been laid down by the government.
The Department of Telecom in an official statement said, “11 BTSs (Base Tower Stations) of Reliance Communications, TTML, Airtel, Vodafone, Idea Cellular, Aircel and Loop Telecom were found radiating beyond permissible limits of the new radiation norms when measurements were carried out in some houses facing the nearby BTS antenna”. The statement added, “Orders were issued to the 7 operators to stop radiating from these BTSs with immediate effect”.
The BTSs functioning may be resumed only after the sites are made compliant and information to that effect is verified by the Telecom Enforcement and Resource Monitoring Cell, Mumbai. The industry body, Cellular Association of India which represents the GSM companies was contacted who said that the operators should be given some time to ascertain about towers which are non compliant.
An official from the DoT said that the show cause notices will be issued to the companies on penal action but the public health will be the top priority.
