Assam temporarily suspends mobile internet services for ‘free, fair and transparent’ third-degree exam

The Assam government on Saturday temporarily suspended mobile internet services for ‘free, fair and transparent’ Grade III post examination. The suspension order issued by the Himanta Biswa Sarma-led Assam government will be applicable for three-and-a-half hours from 10 am to 1.30 pm on September 15 (today) during the written examination for recruitment to Grade III posts, ANI reported citing official notification.

The Additional Chief Secretary to the Government of Assam, Department of Home and Politics, Ajay Tewari, today issued a notification stating, “In the interest of holding a free, fair and transparent public enquiry and also to prevent any law and order problem affecting public safety… you hereby issue this notification under the provision of Section 5(2) of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 read with the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rule, 2017 to ban mobile internet/mobile data/mobile Wi-Fi service of all mobile service providers in the entire State of Assam on September 15 from 10 a.m. to 1.30 p.m.”

The written examination for recruitment to the vacant posts of Class III is conducted by the Government of Assam through the “State Level Recruitment Commission for Class III Posts.” The public examination is conducted for recruitment to vacant posts in various State Government Institutions.

As many as 11,23,204 candidates will appear for the public examination in 2,305 centres across 28 districts of the state. About 429 centres have been identified as sensitive areas considering their geographical location and history of malpractices like cheating, among others.

In order to ensure that the examination is ‘free, fair and transparent’ and that there are no irregularities during the examination hours, the concerned authorities have temporarily disabled the ‘mobile internet/mobile data/mobile wifi connectivity during the examination hours’. Notably, violation of the proclamation will be punishable under Section 223 Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita, 2023 and also under the relevant provision of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1985.

The statement further said: “The Government of Assam desires that the written examination should be conducted in a free, fair and transparent manner so that the best candidates are selected solely on the basis of merit and no malpractice is allowed during the examination.”

The notice highlighted the use of “unfair means using various mobile applications like Facebook, WhatsApp, X (Twitter), Telegram and YouTube” by some unscrupulous elements. These steps have been taken to caution against the Assam government’s non-tolerance for “all possible loopholes” in the investigation process.

It is important to note that voice calls and fixed line broadband connectivity will still function during this period.