TN Assembly adopts resolution seeking abolition of NEET; BJP opposes, Congress welcomes

CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu Assembly on Tuesday adopted a resolution urging the Union government to abolish the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) and allow admission to medical courses in the State based on marks obtained in the Plus Two examinations.

Moving the resolution, Health and Medical Education Minister KG Arunraj said medical education should be accessible not only to economically stronger sections but also to students with merit and dedication.

The resolution stated that NEET had led to the proliferation of coaching centres charging exorbitant fees and had diverted students' attention from the school curriculum towards NEET-oriented coaching.

Arunraj said that before the introduction of NEET, students from rural, poor and socially disadvantaged backgrounds were able to secure medical education opportunities. The introduction of NEET, he alleged, had adversely affected socio-economic equality in medical admissions.

"NEET gravely undermines the medical education opportunities of rural and socio-economically disadvantaged students, including students whose medium of instruction is Tamil," the resolution stated.

The Assembly also urged the Union government to make necessary amendments to laws governing medical admissions, including the National Medical Commission Act, citing repeated irregularities in the conduct of NEET.

The Minister said the Union government should respect the unanimous voice of the Assembly, asserting that respecting the rights of States was an essential component of the federal structure.

He also reiterated the demand that education be brought back from the Concurrent List to the State List, arguing that this was the only way to permanently resolve the NEET issue.

The resolution received support from the DMK, Congress, AIADMK, CPI, CPI(M), PMK and Manithaneya Jananayaga Katchi.

However, the BJP opposed the resolution and staged a walkout from the Assembly.