M.K. Stalin Schedules All-Party Meeting on April 9 After NEET Exemption Bill Rejection
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Synopsis
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has announced an all-party meeting on April 9 in response to the Union government's rejection of the NEET exemption bill. He expressed disappointment over the decision and emphasized the need to protect the rights and interests of rural and economically disadvantaged students in the state.
Key Takeaways
- M.K. Stalin called for an all-party meeting on April 9.
- The Union government rejected Tamil Nadu’s NEET exemption bill.
- Stalin aims to protect rural and economically disadvantaged students.
- A high-level committee supported the exemption.
- The NEET system undermines local educational rights.
Chennai, April 4 (NationPress) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin convened an all-party meeting on April 9 to determine the next steps after the Union government's dismissal of the state's NEET exemption bill.
During his address in the Assembly, Stalin expressed profound disappointment over the Centre's refusal to approve the bill, which had been passed by the Assembly in June 2024 and was pending with the President's office since 2022.
"Although the Union government has turned down our request for NEET exemption, our struggle is far from finished," he stated, adding that the upcoming meeting will aim to safeguard the interests of economically disadvantaged and rural students in Tamil Nadu.
The Chief Minister underscored that Tamil Nadu's long-standing medical admission framework has historically produced some of the nation’s finest doctors. However, with the implementation of NEET, he noted, achieving the dream of becoming a doctor has become increasingly difficult for students from rural backgrounds who cannot afford costly coaching.
Stalin reminded that the state government had established a high-level committee, led by Justice A.K. Rajan (retd), to evaluate the effects of NEET. The committee's conclusions backed the exemption and emphasized the negative impact of the examination on marginalized students.
On June 27, 2024, the Tamil Nadu Assembly passed a resolution introduced by Stalin, urging the Union government to promptly approve the NEET Exemption Bill. All political parties, including the PMK, a member of the NDA, supported the resolution, while BJP MLAs opposed it and walked out.
The resolution stated that the NEET-based admission process undermines school education, significantly restricts opportunities for rural and economically disadvantaged students, and infringes on the rights of state governments to oversee admissions to their medical colleges. It further called on the Union government to abolish the NEET system altogether and amend the National Medical Commission Act in view of recurrent irregularities in the examination's conduct.
"The sentiments of the people of Tamil Nadu and the welfare of our students have been overlooked," Stalin remarked.
"This rejection is not the conclusion. We will persist in our quest for justice."
