NEET-NET Row 2024 Updates: ‘Not Rational to Cancel Entire Exam,’ Says Centre to SC

DMK’s Demand in Rajya Sabha: Abolish NEET or Approve Tamil Nadu’s Exemption Bill

On Tuesday, P Wilson, a member of the Rajya Sabha from the DMK party, urged the central government to either abolish the NEET medical entrance exam or approve Tamil Nadu’s bill that seeks to exempt the state from this exam.

Wilson made this appeal in the Upper House of Parliament during a debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s address. He highlighted that the Tamil Nadu legislative assembly had passed the Tamil Nadu Admission to Medical Courses Bill in 2021. This bill, along with a unanimous resolution against NEET, aims to address what he called the “NEET menace.”

However, the bill has been awaiting the Centre’s approval for nearly three years, causing anxiety among students and parents, Wilson said.

“We seek the Prime Minister’s immediate attention to either approve the bill passed by the state government or amend the National Medical Commission Act to abolish NEET and the next exam system at the national level,” Wilson stated.

The NEET-UG 2024 exam was taken by around 23.33 lakh students. Alleged irregularities in the exam, including a question paper leak, have led to court cases, including in the Supreme Court, and an inquiry by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

The CBI filed an FIR on June 23 regarding the alleged irregularities in the exam held on May 5, following a reference from the Union education ministry.

Wilson criticized the delay in ordering the CBI probe, claiming that this might have allowed “fraudsters” to tamper with documents and erase evidence.

He also raised concerns about the National Testing Agency (NTA), which handles competitive exams like NEET. He pointed out that the NTA is registered under the Societies Registration Act, similar to a flat owner or housing society.

“From 2014 to 2024, the government has passed 427 bills in the Lok Sabha and 365 bills in the Rajya Sabha. However, the Union government was not interested in introducing legislation to provide statutory backing to the NTA,” Wilson said. He claimed that this lack of legislation could potentially “shield the agency from accountability.”

The DMK has long opposed NEET. When it was first introduced in 2010 through regulations, the party secured a stay from the Madras High Court on its implementation.

In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK leader M K Stalin reiterated the state’s opposition to NEET. He mentioned that the state had passed a bill unanimously in its legislative assembly to exempt Tamil Nadu from NEET and to provide medical admissions based on 12th standard marks. “This has been sent for Presidential assent but the assent is still pending,” he said. Stalin added that the irregularities during the recent NEET exam validated the state’s opposition to the exam.

(PTI)