TN assembly passes bill to spare state from NEET

Tamil Nadu Assembly has passed a bill to ban the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for the students of the state. Chief Minister MK Stalin tabled the bill on Monday morning and sought permanent exemption from the Union government's medical entrance exam for the students studying in Tamil Nadu.

The AIADMK, Paattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) voiced support for the bill among other parties. BJP opposed the bill and staged a walkout, reported The News Minute.

The state government said that the Bill aims to provide admission to undergraduate medical degree courses on the basis of marks obtained in the qualifying examination and not through NEET. "This will be done "in order to ensure social justice, uphold equality and equal opportunity, and protect all vulnerable student communities from being discriminated against," added the government.

The statement of objects and reasons said that the experience of the past four years of NEET has shown that the exam has shattered the hopes and dreams of Tamil Nadu students aspiring for admissions to medical and dental courses, particularly those from socially and economically backward classes.

The extra examination is a financial burden on families and it favours the rich who can afford special coaching apart from pursuing Class XII. This is against the very object of the equality clause enshrined in the Constitution, said the statement.

Chief Minister Stalin had ordered a panel headed by retired judge AK Rajan to study the impact of NEET and its implication among students of government schools and economically weaker backgrounds.