MF Farooqui, secretary, Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has approached the government in Maharashtra to bring its proposed cell-tower radiation norms in line with the telecom department?s guidelines as otherwise it would hurt the development of the sector in the state.
Earlier, DoT had asked state governments to not to put excessive restrictions on tower installations in residential areas, educational institutions or hospitals as the department had addressed concerns regarding radiation from telecom equipment by lowering the limit of permissible radiation level.
The Maharashtra government has restricted installation of mobile base station antennae in school, college and hospital premises. It has directed telecom companies to ensure that base station antennae are not tilted towards schools, colleges and hospitals.
In a communication to JS Saharia, chief secretary, Maharashtra, DoT secretary has stated that several provisions in the state?s draft policy are at variance and even contrary with DoT?s guidelines on radiation emitted from telecom towers and telecom equipment. Farooqui has pointed out that Maharashtra?s draft policy also encroaches into the technical aspects relating to electro-magnetic radiation, wireless frequency allocations, access service licences and infrastructure provider registrations, which being a central subject, could only be dealt by DoT.
Further, Farooqui has underlined that such deviant provisions can adversely impact development of the telecom sector, in addition to impacting the quality of telecom services being delivered to subscribers.
