Telecom official finally shows up before National Green Tribunal after warning

NEW DELHI: Warned of coercive steps over its non-response in a case of alleged illegal installation of mobile towers in the country, a Telecom Ministry official finally appeared before the National Green Tribunal today.

As the ministry had not responded to its notice in the case, the Tribual (NGT) on April 9 had issued and then kept in abeyance a bailable warrant against the Telecom Secretary.

The warrant had been kept in abeyance till May 2 by the tribunal after counsel for the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), which is also a party in the case, had said that she would inform the Ministry of Communication and Information and Technology (MoCIT).

As the proceedings began today, NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar enquired whether anyone has appeared for the Telecom Ministry and as initially no one came forward, he asked "despite warrant no one appears?

"Why no one appears? There was a bailable warrant issued last time. What is the Telecom Secretary doing?"

At this, MoEF's counsel Neelam Rathore informed the bench that it had kept the warrant in abeyance.

"Yes, because you said you would inform them (MoCIT)," the bench pointed out.

At this point, an official of the Telecom Ministry came forward and said they have filed their reply in the case.

The tribunal has now listed the matter for further hearing on July 2 after a new counsel appearing for the petitioner, Arvind Gupta, sought time to get acquainted with the case.

The Tribunal had issued the warrant after MoCIT remained unrepresented in the case despite the NGT taking up the issue five times, including on April 9, after notice was issued to the Ministry on November 21, 2012.

The NGT had issued notice to MoEF, MoCIT, Ministry of Health and telecom firms -- Bharti Infratel Ltd, Airtel, Idea, Vodaphone, Tata, Reliance and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd -- on the plea of Delhi resident Arvind Gupta who had alleged inaction on Centre's part in strictly implementing guidelines regarding installation of mobile towers in the country.

The Tribunal had also restrained the telecom firms from installing new mobile towers in the country without following mandatory provisions of law and obtaining necessary permission from the competent authority.

In his plea, Gupta has alleged that "norms are flouted brazenly by all companies involved with installation of mobile towers" and the Department of Telecommunications has not been implementing the guideline while allowing setting up of the towers.

He has also alleged that radiations emitted by towers not only adversely affect flora and fauna, but can also cause cancer in human beings.