Temporary Internet Shutdown in connection with TET, 2022

Government of West Bengal
Home & Hill Affairs Department
Internal Security Branch, Secret Section
325, Sarat Chatterjee Street, Shibpur, Howrah

Memo No. 1483-I.S.S/2M-15/19 Dated, Howrah, 10th December, 2022

ORDER

Whereas, it has been informed that the West Bengal Board of Primary Education is going to conduct the TET (Teachers’ Eligibility Test), 2022 on 11.12.2022 (12.00 Noon – 2:30 PM) at 1453 venues across the State. A total number of 6,90,931 candidates are going to appear in the said examination;

And, whereas, request has been received from the Secretary, West Bengal Board of Primary Education, vide Memo No. 2076/WBBPE/ 2022, dated 08.12.2022 read with 2113/WBBPE/2022 dated 10/12/2022 that in order to ensure smooth and successful conduct of the said TET (Teachers’ Eligibility Test), 2022 to be held on 11th December, 2022 and in view of the past events of violation of examination rules in certain designated areas, Internet transmissions and Voice over Internet Telephony may be used for availing unfair means including mass-cheating, copying, seeking help through malpractice in the said TET, 2022 examination in geographical areas within the districts of Uttar Dinajpur, Maida, Murshidabad, Purba Medinipur, Paschim Medinipur and Dakshin Dinajpur;

And whereas, upon examination of the information received gives reason to believe that such unlawful activities including gross breach of examination rules by means of using unfair activities are likely to occur in the event of internet transmission is allowed to remain active in the area aforementioned, and strict preventive measures are required for this purpose;

And whereas, the Constitution of India guarantees freedom of expression of Indian Citizens but at the same time allows for reasonable restrictions on the same;

And whereas, no restriction is being imposed on voice calls and SMS and on newspapers, hence communication and dissemination of knowledge and information is not stopped in any way;

Now, therefore, in order to prevent leakage of question papers and cheating and for conducting free, fair and smooth TET Examination, 2022, and for upholding the greater public interest through an order under Sec. 5(2) of The Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 read with sub-rule 2(1) of Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Service) Rules, 2017 and sub-rule 2(A) of Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Amendment) Rules, 2020 it is promulgated that:

Any data related message or class of messages to or from any person or class of persons relating to any particular subject, brought for transmission by or transmitted or received by any telegraph within the ambit of the India Telegraph Act, 1885, shall temporarily not be transmitted in the larger public interest of conducting free and fair TET Examination 2022 and preventing incitement to the commission of any offence relating to use of unfair means through the use of mobile telephones and other electronic gadgets, within the geographical area in the Districts of Uttar Dinajpur, Maida and Murshidabad, Purba Medinipur, Paschim Medinipur and Dakshin Dinajpur as specified in “Annexure A-1 to A-6” to this notification.

This order shall come into force with effect from 11.30 a.m on 11th December, 2022 and shall remain valid till 02.30 p.m of 11th December, 2022 (Sunday).

List of PIN Codes and Access Points are attached herewith and marked as Annexure “A-1 to A-6”.

Given under my hand and seal of my office at 1600 hours this day the 10th December, 2022.

Additional Chief Secretary
Home & Hill Affairs Department

No. 1483-ISS dated 10.12.2022, Source