Centre ‘rejected’ TN’s NEET exemption bill: CM Stalin informs TNLA

CHENNAI: In yet another setback to Tamil Nadu’s efforts to secure exemption from the controversial NEET (National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test) for medical admission in the state, President Droupadi Murumu rejected the Bill sent by the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly seeking exemption for the state from NEET and allow medical admission based on the plus two marks. However, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin assured legal measures to remedy the situation, and called for a meeting of all legislature parties here on April 9 to discuss the next course of action.

Announcing the ‘regrettable decision’ of the union government in the State Assembly during the Zero Hour on Friday, Chief Minister Stalin said, “I would like to inform the House with a heavy heart that the union government has declined assent to NEET exemption bill, refusing to accept the due clarifications provided immediately by the Tamil Nadu government to Union Health, Ayush, Home and Higher Education among the various ministries.”

Insult to TNLA, black chapter in federalism

Describing the unilateral action of the union government as an ‘insult’ to the dignity of the State Assembly elected by the people and “black chapter in the history of federalism”, Stalin remarked, “The Union Government did not take into account the thoughts of the Tamil Nadu people and the resolution of the State Assembly. People are watching this.” “The union government might have denied our request. But, our fight for scrapping NEET is far from over,” Stalin proclaimed, as the members of the ruling DMK and alliance parties thumped their fists on the desk ahead in endorsement.

Consult legal experts

Announcing that they would consult legal experts on the follow up legal measures to be taken in the next phase of the fight against NEET, Stalin also invited the leaders of all legislature parties to attend the consultation being organized at the state secretariat here on the evening of April 9 to discuss the issue. The State Government would resolutely undertake all legal measures on behalf of lakhs of medical aspirants and their parents to fulfil their dreams, assured Stalin, who also elaborated how the democratization of medical education and services in Tamil Nadu through the abolition of Common Entrance Test (CET) for medicine among the professional courses in the 2006-11 DMK regime was undone by the introduction of pro-rich and anti-poor NEET later.

Journey of NEET bill in Stalin’s tenure

Based on the recommendations of Justice A K Rajan committee, On September 13, 2021, the TNLA unanimously passed the Tamil Nadu Admission to Undergraduate Medical Degree Courses Bill 2021 to dispense with NEET in UG medical admission.

On February 3, 2022, Governor R N Ravi returned the Bill to TNLA Speaker.

Chief Minister Stalin convened an all-party meeting on February 5, 2022. It was decided to readopt the bill and send it for the Governor’s assent again.

On February 8, 2022, the Bill seeking exemption for Tamil Nadu from NEET was readopted in the House and sent for assent.

Governor Ravi forwarded it for the President’s consideration later.

In August 2023, governor Ravi publicly declared, “Given to me, I will never clear NEET bill.”