The Communications Minister Kapil Sibal has stated that mobile companies will have to pay penalty of Rs. 10 lakh, instead of the present 5 lakhs for breach of radiation norms of mobile towers. The radiation permissible level since 1 September 2012 was lowered to 0.45 watts per square metre. The mobile companies have to abide by the same.

But the question arises. Penalties are fixed for many violations, illegal roaming, manipulating SLD calls to local calls to avoid tax/revenue sharing, providing mobile connections without verification, not providing connections in villages/rural areas as per licencing conditions etc.etc. But who pays these penalties? Either the companies go to court or pressurise the DOT/Minister to relax it and get favourable decisions. The companies are going scot-free even violating all conditions.

Instead of the name sake penalties, the licence of these companies should be immediately cancelled, which only will compel them to abide by the rules of the land. But we need not expect the present government to take any such action. All in the name of increasing investments and allowing to maximise profits of the private companies.