Expert Panel to study consequences of Cellphone tower radiation

Government is constituting an Expert Panel to develop terms of reference for mounting a Nation-wide campaign to study the consequences of radiation from cell phone towers on human health and ecology in a time-bound manner. The expert panel will consist of former Director General, Indian Council Medical Research (ICMR); Director, IIT-Madras at Chennai; Director, Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (IITR), Lucknow and include members from Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Ministry of Science and Technology and Department of Health Research. 

Prime Minister has instructed Secretary, DST to look into the issue and report to Prime Minister’s Office. Department of Science and Technology held an Expert Group meeting on July 3, 2012 and reported to PMO. 

The Expert Panel has been constituted for drawing up Frame of Reference for calling for Request for Proposals. Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) has approved the proposal for calling for Request for Proposals, for undertaking scientific studies. Department proposes to bring out status reports once in two months. 

The above information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Planning, Science & Technology and Earth Sciences Dr. Ashwani Kumar in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.