Guwahati: The Assam government has once again announced a temporary suspension of mobile internet and data services across the state on Sunday (September 29, 2024).
According to a notification issued by Ajay Tewari, Additional Chief Secretary to the Government of Assam, the suspension will be in effect from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
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The decision comes in light of concerns about potential cheating and malpractice during the state-level written examination for Class III government posts.
“Given the significant number of applicants and the potential for misuse of technology, the government has deemed it necessary to temporarily restrict mobile internet access. This measure will help create a conducive environment for a fair and equitable examination process,” Tewari said in the notification.
The government believes that disabling internet services will help prevent the use of mobile applications and online resources to gain unfair advantages.
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Over 7.3 lakh candidates have registered for the examination, which will be conducted in two shifts: one for Bachelor’s Degree level posts and another for HSLC (Driver) posts. The Assam State School Education Board (ASSEB) is acting as the testing agency.
The exams will take place in 822 examination centers across the state.
While mobile internet will be temporarily disabled, voice calls and broadband connectivity based on fixed telephone lines will remain functional. The government has warned that any violation of the notification will be punishable under relevant laws.
The decision to suspend mobile internet on exam day has sparked mixed reactions. Some have praised the government for taking steps to ensure the integrity of the recruitment process, while others have raised concerns about the potential impact on businesses and communication.
Earlier on September 15 as well, the government had ordered the suspension of mobile internet services across the state for three-and-half hours from 10 a.m. during the written examination for recruitment to Grade III posts.