(a) whether the Government proposes to study the impact of radiation emanating from cell phone towers on human health and ecology;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has given any direction in this regard; and
(d) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government to study the consequences of radiation from cell phone towers?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY; MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES; MINISTER OF STATE IN THE PRIME MINISTER`S OFFICE; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS; (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)
(a) Yes, Madam.
(b) to (d): Based on a report submitted by a Committee constituted vide an order of Hon`ble High Court Allahabad, Lucknow bench, the Department of Telecommunication (DoT) has issued a directive to Department of Science and Technology (DST) and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) for carrying out extensive studies on the Indian conditions with special focus on possible health hazard of electromagnetic radiation. The Government through the Science and Engineering Research Board, a statutory body under DST and DoT has launched a programme to study possible impact of electromagnetic radiation exposure from mobile towers and handsets in the non-ionizing band (300MHZ to 3 GHZ) on life. i.e. humans, living organisms, flora & fauna and environment. The study will generate data based on credible scientific evidence taking into account of diversity in the Indian social context with specific objective to (i) initiate country wide special scientific studies in collaboration with other departments in the area of Engineering and Life form risk assessment and (ii) Commissioning a National Initiative on Next Generation Technologies for environmentally benign solution for wireless and mobile communication. A national call for Research & Development proposals was made and proposals are under consideration.