Observation (CEACR) - adoptée 1997, publiée 86ème session CIT (1998)

Convention (n° 115) sur la protection contre les radiations, 1960 - Inde (Ratification: 1975)

1. Articles 3, paragraph 1, and 6, paragraph 2, of the Convention. The Committee notes with interest the Government's indication, in its reports of 1994 and 1996, that the Radiation Protection Rules, 1971, are being revised by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) and will reflect the principles established by the International Safety Standards of 1994 which are based on the recommendations adopted by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) of 1990. The Committee further notes with interest that the Government indicates that, in the meantime, new dose limits for occupational exposure, taking into account the IRCP Recommendations and the international standards, have been set by AERB in Safety Directives that have been supplied to all employers. As the Government states that these limits are fixed at 100 mSv for five years from 1 January 1994 to 31 December 1998, the Committee would be grateful if the Government would indicate whether, and how, these limits will be maintained after this date. It also requests the Government to supply a copy of the Safety Directives adopted by the AERB and the new Radiation Protection Rules as soon as they are adopted.

2. The Committee also notes that, in a comment attached to the Government's report of 1994, the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) underlines the lack of effective enforcement of the legislation on Radiation Protection by the AERB, due to organizational weaknesses. The AITUC also indicates that improvement is needed to ensure effective protection of temporary workers against ionizing radiation; to minimize occupational exposure (work planning and execution), and to conduct proper medical examination for early detection of occupational diseases. The Committee requests the Government to communicate any comments that it considers appropriate on the points raised by the AITUC, in the light of Article 3, paragraph 1, Article 12 and Article 15 of the Convention.

3. The Committee is raising certain questions in a request addressed directly to the Government.