UGC asks institutions to follow radioactive material norms

University Grants Commission (UGC) has asked varsities to form a special committee to maintain a centralised inventory of radiation sources as the AERB has reported that several higher education institutions do not abide by the guidelines related to usage and disposal of radioactive and other hazardous materials.
UGC has also asked Registrars of Universities to transmit the consolidated list of radiation sources in their possession to AERB by August 2016.
In a letter to Vice Chancellors, UGC secretary Jaspal S Sandhu referred to guidelines for Universities, research institutions and colleges for procurement, storage, usage and disposal of Radioactive and other hazardous materials or chemicals.

"However, it has been reported by Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) that many institutions of higher education in the country do not abide by the standard operating procedures outlined in the UGC guidelines and AERB regulations," the letter said.
The letter added that "reportedly", higher education institutions in the country possess hazardous radiation sources which fall within level 1 to level 5 categories of activity.
The letter said that AERB had informed that many institutions do not regularly provide the complete status of possession of radiation sources.

"Even when it is submitted, it is sent piecemeal and not in consolidated form," the letter by the senior UGC official added.

Sandhu, in the letter requested institutions to register themselves on a web based licensing system, put by AERA for this purpose.
He also sought that committees be formed to maintain inventory and asked Registrars to transmit the consolidated list of radiation sources in their possession to AERB by August 2016.