Ranchi: The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Jharkhand termed the state government’s decision to suspend mobile internet services for five hours on Saturday and Sunday in view of competitive examinations as another “diktara” to hide its “failed” system.
In an effort to prevent any disruption during the Jharkhand General Graduate Level Combined Competitive Examination (JGGLCCCE), the mobile internet services will be suspended from 8 am to 1.30 pm on Saturday and the services will remain suspended during the same period on Sunday as well, the official notification said.
BJP spokesperson Pratul Shahdeo said, “When the Jharkhand government failed to make foolproof arrangements to prevent malpractices in the examination, it shut down the internet for 3.5 crore people across the state.” He said, “This is another arbitrary order to hide the government’s failed system.” Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth also criticized the decision to suspend mobile internet services, saying that this would cause a lot of inconvenience to the people.
“This directive shows the failure of the Jharkhand government to prevent unfair means in the examination,” the BJP leader said. He also claimed that mobile internet as well as broadband services have been suspended in the state.
The government notification said, “…It has been observed in the past that some individuals have indulged in malpractice by using various mobile apps dependent on internet/WiFi connectivity.” It said, “The Jharkhand government wishes to remove any such lacunae in the examination process which may create doubts in the minds of the public regarding the sanctity of the recruitment process, which may lead to law and order issues affecting public safety.”
The order said that broadband connectivity and voice calls based on fixed telephone lines will continue during the relevant period. In this regard, an official said that Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission is conducting the examination at 823 centers and about 6.39 lakh candidates are appearing for the examination.
Chief Minister Hemant Soren had said on Friday that he has spoken to senior officials regarding the preparations for the examination. He said, “Negligence will not be tolerated under any circumstances.” Soren said, “If anyone tries to do something wrong even by mistake during the examination, we will deal with him strictly.”