After multiples visits to the capital and several requests from state leaders, the central government has finally said it is willing to exempt Tamil Nadu from the National Eligibility and Entrance Test (NEET) for one year.
Union Minister of State for commerce, Nirmala Sitharaman said, "CM of Tamil Nadu has met PM, Health Minister Nadda, they have met me too multiple times. The government has applied NEET for various boards. If the TN govt adopts the ordinance route and asks for a one year exemption, we are ready to oblige."
Immediately after Nirmala Sitharaman's press meet, TN Heath Minister Vijayabaskar said that the state would promulgate an ordinance to exempt the state from NEET for one year. This ordinance would be similar to the one promulgated to allow jallikattu in the state. "The state has been seeking permission only for government run colleges. We will soon hold consultation for a quick action," Vijayabaskar said.
Talking to media persons, the Union Minister has said that the selection procedure through NEET had had an adverse effect on students from rural areas. "The problem comes when you talk about government colleges . There are 4000 seats for which children are still waiting for clarity on admission process. The Tamil Nadu government can request for exemption in government colleges. This is because children from rural areas are not getting admission. There are stateboard students who have cleared the test but it the rural children who are getting sidelined. If the Tamil Nadu Government can point this out, we are ready to give an exemption," she said
There was uproar among the students of the state board in Tamil Nadu this year, after they alleged that their syllabus did not prepare them to take the test conducted by the CBSE. Several students and parents had approached the court asking for a stay on results and for exemption from NEET.