After massive disruption in online sevices- taxis, food and good deliveries, banking, e-commerce, etc, last Sunday, on August 21, Assam is bracing to undergo yet another day's loss.

Chief Minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma announced to shutdown internet services for four hours in 25 districts of Assam to prevent malpractice in the examination of Grade - III and Grade IV of Assam Direct Recruitment.

The decision has been questioned by many, as internet shutdown gravely impacts even the regular activity in Digital India, leading to major economic losses.

According to top10vpn.com, in 2021, India lost USD 582.8 million while shutting down the internet for 1,157 hours. It affected affected 59.1 million users. In the previous year, in 2020, the losses incurred were USD 2.8 billion for shutting down internet services for 8,927 hours. Data shows the cost per hour of shutdown in 2021 had jumped up 60.6 per cent compared to 2020.  The the cost is only increasing.

Speaking of the recent internet shutdown in Assam, although the financial losses are yet to be assertained, the impact on daily life has been immense. While the public complained about unavailability of taxi and delivery services, the daily wage earners associated with the online services complained of loss of earnings amid rising prices.

Sanjeev Kalita, an Uber rider, told Business Northeast, "The Assam's government took the decision to cut off internet service without considering all parameters. The daily wage earners like the online taxis and food delivery executives suffered a day's loss due to the internet cutout. Usually, I get 11-12 bookings on a Sunday, yesterday I could get only 3 bookings; that too after waiting for hours. Most of my colleagues missed the entire day. For meager earners like us, missing a day's work impacts substantially on our budget. But the government did not pay heed to our suffering."

The commuters on the other hand complained about the soaring fares due to high demand and fewer taxis. "I waited for hours to get a booking. And when I finally got there the fare was three times the usual. Usually, it takes around Rs. 85 from Lachitnagar to Hotel Shoolin Grand on a two-wheeler. Yesterday I was charged Rs. 260. Not to mention the four-wheeler charges," said Deepika Pegu.

Riders and drivers associated with the online taxi services informed that due to the unavailability of drivers and high demands, the companies raised the fares manifold to make up for the losses. "Why will the company incur losses, the government decision impacted only the common people. But the government always overlooks our plight. The government does not raise our income or provide us with employment, but the prices of even the basic commodities are daily soaring. amid all these, a day is already lost and another will be lost the next week. Government should reconsider its decision and lift the internet cut off for next ", said Sanjeev Das, a taxi driver.

Business establishments in the other hand were impacted in terms of payments as online payments were stopped.

Proprietors and store staff of malls and markets urged the government to consider about businesses. "Sundays are busy days as we see a lot of customers. People have opted for digital payment methods now-a-days ditching cash. While the government itself is promoting digitalisation, such a decision of closing down the internet for hours without consideration to all parameters is worrisome, said a store owner of City Centre, Guwahati.

There was a half in payment even during peak hours. The food courts and restaurants were especially impacted given that businesses on holidays are high- both for dining and home deliveries.

A restaurant manager said, "The customers were skeptical while placing orders because apparently the card machines were also not operating. The customers usually prefer to pay online and due to cash shortage we got fewer orders this Sunday. We are preparing to keep cash for next Sunday, but after the troubles people had the last time, I doubt if people will come out the next weekend. So the loss is again ours."

A jewellery store staff told Business NorthEast, " A customer waited for more than an hour to make payment because Google Pay was not working due to unavailability of internet."

The overall situation created a fuss not only among the business owners but also for the commuters and general public.

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