Medical education minister Vinod Tawde while applauding the role of the central government in staying NEET for admission to government medical and dental colleges this year, said the victory was not d
Medical education minister Vinod Tawde while applauding the role of the central government in staying NEET for admission to government medical and dental colleges this year, said the victory was not due to any single person or party but was due to the cumulative effort of all stakeholders which included students and parents. He said that even though NEET had been deferred for a year, the government would still go ahead with the televised and online lectures for the benefit of students who wish to secure admissions in private medical and dental colleges this year.
Mr Tawde said he had been present at the Supreme Court throughout the hearing of the review petition filed by the state government. “I would like to thank the Central government, especially Prime Minister Narendra Modi, HRD minister Smriti Irani and Union health minister J.P. Nadda for supporting the stand of the Maharashtra government that was spear-headed by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis,” said Mr Tawde.
Mr Tawde said the admissions to the 2,810 seats in government medical and dental colleges would be done through the MH-CET scores only. However, admissions to the 1,720 seats in private colleges and 1,675 deemed universities would be conducted through NEET scores. “Admissions to all other courses such as homeopathy, ayurveda, unani and other para-medical courses will also be done based on the MH-CET scores,” said Mr Tawde, adding that despite the NEET cancellation, the government would still go ahead with the airing of the televised and online lectures of CBSE syllabus for the benefit of students opting for seats in private medical and dental colleges in the state.
The news of NEET being deferred for a year came as a welcome relief to parents and students. “This is great news. Though I am not sure of securing a seat through the MH-CET scores, I now have the option of appearing for NEET. Previously, I would have to compulsorily appear for the CBSE syllabus-based NEET. I now have a 50-50 chance,” said Shiva Rajguru, a student who appeared for the MH-CET on May 5. Parents were also relieved and said the 50-50 chance was better than having no chance at all.
Meanwhile, admitting that agitations, protests and petitions from various quarters provided the impetus for the state government to pursue the issue with the SC and Central government, Mr Tawde said, “Today’s outcome is not the result of any single individual or group. It was a cumulative effort of all stake holders that bore fruit in the best interests of the nearly 4.5 lakh students in both rural and urban areas who had been affected by the NEET decision.”
Dr A. Kanadiya, a parent and tutor, said, “The decision comes as a solace for the students and parents but it is a minor relief. We hope the government takes steps to address the issue once and for all so that students planning to appear for the NEET next year do not face any problem.” He said the science syllabus of state board should be brought on par with the CBSE syllabus with immediate effect.
