Supreme Court directive on NEET ‘hasty’, say MPs in Lok Sabha

The Supreme Court’s last week directive to the Centre of holding the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) for medical and dental admissions from this year evoked strong reactions in the Lok Sabha, with various MPs raising concern over several “practical problems” which it would lead to.

Parliamentary affairs minister M. Venkaiah Naidu informed the Lower House that though the government cannot say anything about the apex court’s decision, the concerns of lawmakers would be put forth before the health minister and after consulting law officers, the future course of action would be decided on the matter.

Congress MP K.C. Venugopal called the decision “hasty and not practical” and said it has triggered much “confusion and apprehension” among parents.

He did not oppose the common entrance examination but said it should have been implemented from the next year, noting that some states had already taken their exams.

The two-phased test, first phase was held on May 1 and second phase is due on July 24, is also “discriminatory” as questions asked in the first phase will not be asked in the next.

“It will create havoc,” he said, asking the government to take necessary steps to maintain the status quo.

His party colleague from Hingoli in Maharashtra, Mr Rajiv Satav, also spoke on similar lines, saying the decision will affect 80 per cent of the students in Maharashtra.

Mr Satav asked the government to file a special leave petition in the apex court on the matter.

Mr Naidu objected to Mr Venugopal blaming the government for the decision, saying the order had come from the Supreme Court. The government had in fact urged the apex court to hear out the states before taking any decision, the minister said.

“There are some practical problems, some heart-burning also,” he said.

The issue was raised last week also when members of various parties had opposed holding of the first phase of common entrance test for MBBS and BDS on May 1 saying it gives little time to students. Some of them also demanded that states be given time till 2018 to adapt.