By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Members in the State Assembly on Friday expressed concern over the unregulated setting up of mobile phone towers which are suspected to pose health hazards.
Admitting that there were grey areas in this regard, Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma underlined the need for a unified code across the country for erection of mobile towers.
“As of now, different states are following their own policies to tackle this issue. I am of the view all the states should jointly prevail upon the Centre to come out with clear cut guidelines on the erection of mobile towers,” Dr Mukul said while replying to a question raised by Independent legislator Manas Chaudhuri.
The Chief Minister also said that there is a need to have clear cut identification of the areas where the mobile towers could be erected.
In reply to Chaudhuri’s question, Dr Sangma said that the mobile towers are being erected in accordance with section 10 of Indian Telegraph Act 1885 and Indian Wireless Act, 1993 to be read with license conditions and telephone Regulatory Authority of India Regulation.
Replying to the supplementary question, he said that the Government is regulating the erection of mobile towers as per the provisions of the India Telegraph Act, 1885.
Chaudhuri was of the view when this Act was formulated mobile towers was yet to exist while also pointing out there is fear that these mobile towers emanate radiation which are harmful to human beings.
The Chief Minister agreed with Chaudhuri that there is fear among the people about the emission of radiation from these mobile towers, Chief Minister said that the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) is carrying out a detailed study on non-ionising radiation which includes optical radiation, magnetic fields and radio frequent radiation (including microwaves).
“We would be having a better understanding once the ICNIRP completes its finding on whether mobile towers emit radiation,” he added.
Ardent Basaiawmoit (UDP) expressed concern about the erection of mobile towers along residential areas particularly on the roof tops of the buildings.
Basaiawmoit also wondered if it was true as per the Department of Telecommunications, residential areas should be at least 5 km away from the cell phone towers.
In reply, Dr Sangma said that as of now, permission for erecting of the mobile towers along the residential areas is being given by the local bodies of that respective area.
Replying to a supplementary question, Chief Minister said that the Urban Affairs department had issued a notification to regulate this erection of mobile towers along residential areas.
He also admitted on the need of having similar notification to regulate the erection of mobile towers in the rural areas while also suggesting on the need to have a regulatory mechanism in the rural areas that would monitor the areas where mobile towers should be erected.
To a question raised by ECB Bamon (NCP) on whether compensation is being paid to the land owners, he said that the companies are paying only rental to the concerned land owners.
Replying to another question, Dr Sangma stated the companies directly enter into an agreement with the land owners who are providing the land for erecting of the mobile towers while adding that the Government is no way involved with this.