NE NEWS SERVICE
CHENNAI, FEB 3
Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi has returned to the state government an Assembly bill seeking exemption to the state from the National Entrance cum Eligibility Test (NEET), saying it went against the interests of rural and economically poor students.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister M K Stalin has convened an all-party meeting on Saturday (February 5) to discuss about the future course of action.
நீட் விலக்கு தொடர்பான சட்ட முன்வடிவினை மாண்புமிகு ஆளுநர் அவர்கள் திருப்பி அனுப்பியுள்ள நிலையில், அடுத்த கட்ட நடவடிக்கைகள் குறித்து விவாதித்து முடிவு செய்திட சட்டமன்ற அனைத்துக் கட்சித் தலைவர்களுடனான ஆலோசனைக் கூட்டம்
5-2-2022 அன்று காலை 11-00 மணி அளவில் நடைபெறும்@mkstalin pic.twitter.com/oNoBPtv36A— TN DIPR (@TNDIPRNEWS) February 3, 2022
Government of Tamil Nadu had passed a bill on September 13, 2021, regarding the exemption of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test, NEET for students in the state who wish to join medical colleges, saying the exam favours affluent classes who can afford private coaching.
Hon'ble Governor, after detailed study of the #NEET exemption Bill has returned it to the Hon'ble Speaker, citing detailed reasons, for its reconsideration. The Bill is against interest of the students specifically the rural and economically poor students of the State. pic.twitter.com/2SecSGjgAT
— LOK BHAVAN, TAMIL NADU (@lokbhavan_tn) February 3, 2022
The Governor, during his Republic Day address, commented that the enrollment of government school students in state-run medical colleges has increased following the test’s introduction.
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“Before introduction of NEET, the share of students from government schools to the seats in government medical colleges was hardly 1 percent. Thanks to the affirmative action of 7.5 percent reservation for government school students that number has improved significantly,” the Governor said on January 26.
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The bill was returned as the social justice perspective of NEET was also taken into consideration. “The Supreme court has also upheld NEET from a social justice perspective, as it prevents economic exploitation of poor students,” stated the release
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All-party Tamil Nadu MPs delegation meets Amit Shah seeking exemption from NEET
The ruling DMK has been staunchly opposing NEET on several grounds, including infringement of state’s rights. Also, the party had time and again said that the test went against students belonging to backward classes and rural regions.