The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has rejected a proposal to restrict the number of mobile towers near schools and hospitals. This was suggested by an inter-ministerial committee which was examining the potential radiation limits for mobile phones and towers.
However, DoT feels that banning or restricting the installation of towers nears schools and hospitals may be misconceived.
An internal DoT note stated, ?This move may give rise to the perception that despite following the norms, mobile radiation is harmful and this may lead to public resistance against the installation of towers.?
?While tightening the norms, vigorous efforts are needed to educate the public about the myths of the impact of radiation. Moreover, international norms should be followed and efforts ought to be made by the government to ensure that radiation are within limits,? it added.
DoT?s views coincide with those of the telecom industry, which had objected to the proposal. The idea to impose a ban was first floated by the Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC), the standardisation wing of the Department of Telecom.
