CM Stalin writes to TN Governor seeking nod for NEET bill

Chennai: The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M K Stalin has recently written to the Governor of the State, Thiru. R.N. Ravi urging him to forward the bill scrapping the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) to the Government of India.

Referring to the fact that the Undergraduate medical admission for the next academic year will commence shortly, the Chief Minister also pointed out how the medical aspirants are tremendously anxious over the situation and mentioned in the letter, "I am pained to note that despite our repeated efforts to impress upon your good selves on the urgency and sensitivity of the matter, this issue is evoking no positive response from your side."

In fact, PTI adds that expressing dismay over Governor R N Ravi not forthcoming with a positive assurance over the Assembly's unanimous Bill, the Government has also decided to boycott the 'At Home Reception,' at Raj Bhavan. In this context, the CM Stalin said it would be inappropriate to attend the event hosted at Raj Bhavan, where the collective will of the society as well as the state Legislative Assembly have not been given its due regard.

The NEET issue, according to the Chief Minister, had been a matter of deep concern for the people of the state and gradually the social consensus on NEET evolved into a political and legislative consensus in the state.

Also Read: TN Governor returns bill exempting state from NEET

Yesterday addressing the issue, Stalin wrote to the Governor and mentioned in the letter, "In the last few months since you assumed charge as the Governor of Tamil Nadu, we have been enjoying a cordial and productive relationship. The State Government is pleased to follow all due protocols; extending the official courtesies and observing all norms and conventions with reference to the esteemed office of the Governor. During this period, you would also have observed that my Government values the will of the people of Tamil Nadu the most and all our efforts have been focused on converting such collective will into instruments of action and implementation."

"When the NEET Bill was sent back from your good office to the Legislative Assembly, requiring for certain clarifications and reconsideration, we did not view it an adversarial stand. We had complied with the constitutional process, debated it in detail, clarified the points raised by you and sent it back for reserving the same for the Presidential assent. During my subsequent meetings with you also, I had stressed upon the significance of this particular Bill and requested you to forward it to the Union Government. You may recall that during our last meeting, you have assured us that this process will be expedited, but I am pained to note that the bill is yet to be transmitted to the Government of India," further added the letter as it referred to the earlier rejection of the Governor.

The letter also pointed out how the admission for the next academic year will commence shortly and mentioned, "As you may be aware, the admission process for the medical courses for the next academic year is to commence shortly and there is tremendous anxiety and uncertainty among the aspiring students and their parents in the State. Given this situation, I am sure that you would appreciate our sense of disappointment and dismay at this juncture over the impasse. I am pained to note that despite our repeated efforts to impress upon your goodselves on the urgency and sensitivity of the matter, this issue is evoking no positive response from your side."

"With this critical situation in mind, today (14-4-2022) I had deputed two of my senior Ministers to brief you in person and obtain clarity on the way forward within a timeframe. Unfortunately, I am informed that no positive assurance has been given to them during the discussion. Given these circumstances, we consider that it would be inappropriate for us to attend this celebratory event hosted at Raj Bhavan, where the collective will of our society as well as our Legislative Assembly have not been given its due regard," it further read.

Expressing hope for the Governor's nod in the matter, the letter stated, "Even now, I sincerely hope that you will see the fairness in our request and forward the NEET Bill to Government of India without any further delay, thereby fulfilling the constitutional mandate. I am confident that when both of us discharge our constitutional duties constructively, the State shall stand to benefit and continue to prosper. I am sure that our relationship would continue to be warm and cordial in the best interest of the people of Tamil Nadu."

NEET was introduced in India as a centralized test for admitting medical students at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. However, since its inception, Tamil Nadu has been protesting against the same as after the test was introduced more than a dozen students of underprivileged social background had committed suicide. These students belonging to remote areas were unable to access the necessary resources for clearing the entrance examination.

To view the official notice click on the following link:

https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/neet-bill-174381.pdf

Also Read: NEET Exemption: Tamil Nadu Assembly passes bill scrapping MBBS entrance test