Documented by Goa Desc Resource Centre Ph:2252660
Website: www.goadesc.org Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Press Clippings on the web: http://www.goadesc.org/mem/
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--------------------------------------------------------------- Consumer Awareness Action on Mobile Towers ---------------------------------------------------------------
On the occasion of observance of "National Consumer Rights Day" in Goa, Consumer Forum volunteers from Assolna, Betalbatim, Benaulim, Cansaulim, Cuncolim, Loutolim, Majorda, Navelim, Nuvem & Velim under the banner of Goa Civic and Consumer Action Network (GOACAN) held a Awareness Action in Margao to highlight the consumer concerns about the installation of Mobile Towers in residential areas.
The slogan of the action was "If you do not respect our Right to Know, then we will enforce our Right to say NO". A detailed memorandum was submitted to the Collector & Chairman of the South Goa District Consumer Protection Council.
It may be noted that in recent weeks there have been a number of cases wherein citizens from various Village Panchayats and Municipal Councils have raised objections about the installation of Mobile Towers in residential areas such as in Benaulim, Orlim, Curtorim, Colva, Cuncolim, Maddel & Fatorda.
In fact there has even been a Public Interest Litigation Writ Petition (PIL) filed by the President of the Maddel Social Welfare Committee before the High Court of Bombay at Goa demanding a clear cut policy on Mobile Towers from the Goa Govt. and that the Service Providers (Cell Phone Operators) give full detail of their plans to the local community.
Critical questions concerning the health effects and safety of radio frequency (RF) electro-magnetic radiation eminating from mobile towers need to be answered. There are fears & doubts that long time exposure of RF radiation will cause cancer (leukemia), brain tumours, increased blood pressure, damage to eye sight and reduced mental concentration.
There has been no effort from the cell phone operators to clarify to the residents and consumers the safety aspects of the mobile towers. Infact, instead of providing information and dealing with the genuine concerns of the residents and consumers, there has been absolute silence in this regard. Moreover we have noticed that Municipal Councils and Village Panchayats are unilaterally giving licences for the installation of Mobile Towers in residential areas without consulting the local community either through ward meetings or the Gram Sabha.
Also, the Cell phone manufacturers are not fully informing cell phone users about the precautions to be taken when using the instruments so as to avoid the impacts of radiation.
It may be noted that the Consumer Protection Act 1986 guarantees consumers the following rights: the right to be informed about the quality, quantity etc. of goods and services so as to protect the consumer. the right to be protected against the marketing of goods and services that are hazardous to life and property. the right to consumer education.
The memorandum to the Collector & Chairman of the South Goa District Consumer Protection Council with copies to the The Chief Secretary, Govt. of Goa, Director of Panchayats, Director of Municipal Administration, Director of Health Services, Chairman, Goa State Pollution Control Board, covers the following proposals:
That the Directorate of Panchayats must issue specific instructions to the Village Panchayats that no licence for the installation of a Mobile Tower in a residential area be issued without clearing the proposal at the Gram Sabha.
That the Directorate of Municipal Administration must issue specific instructions to the Municipal Councils that no licence for the installation of a Mobile Tower in a residential area be issued without discussing the proposal in the ward meeting.
That the Directorate of Health Services, Goa State Pollution Control Board, Department of Science & Technology and Chief Inspector of Factories & Boilers should jointly monitor the implementation of the guidelines & recommendations of the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Cell phone Companies must undertake community education about the safety measures carried out with regards radiation hazards and the mobile tower location.
Cell phone Companies must make Consumer Safety a priority in Goa since they do business in the State.
The Goa Govt. must constitute a scientific body to act as a regulatory mechanism to assess, monitor and control the radiation exposure from Mobile Towers.
Cellular Companies must give an undertaking to the community that should any harm be caused to human life and environment by the Mobile Tower then the same will be dismantled.
(GOACAN Press Release)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- GOA CIVIC AND CONSUMER ACTION NETWORK --------------------------------------------------------------------------- an initiative of GOA DESC RESOURCE CENTRE to promote civic and consumer rights in Goa --------------------------------------------------------------------------- GOACAN Post Box 78 Mapusa, Goa 403 507 Tel: 2252660 mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] website: www.goacan.org ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
