SC Says No NEET Exemption for TN After AG Withdraws Support

The court has directed for the counseling under NEET 2017 to be done by 4 September.

A total of 11,38,890 students appeared for the NEET. Image used for representational purposes.

(Photo: iStock)

In a major setback for Tamil Nadu, the state’s medical colleges will have to follow the common National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for admissions (NEET), the SC ruled on 22 August.

Tamil Nadu had sought a one-year exemption from the common medical entrance, arguing that CBSE students would get an unfair advantage, as students from rural areas would find it hard to compete for limited seats.

Last week, Tamil Nadu had promulgated an ordinance staying the admission process under NEET 2017. The ordinance was backed and cleared by two ministries in the centre – Law and HRD, in consultation with Attorney General KK Venugopal.

But when the health ministry cited some past judgements of the SC on the matter and referred the ordinance back to the AG, he took a U-turn and said the ordinance was not legally valid.

The court has directed that the counselling under NEET 2017 be completed by 4 September. Senior advocate Nalini Chidambaram, who was representing students from the state who had passed NEET, heaved a sigh of relief after the SC verdict. She told The News Minute:

NEET has to be a basis for admission for now. Tamil Nadu government has nothing else to argue if there is no ordinance. There is already a delay in admissions, so till September 4 they have been given time to conduct counselling. Any further appeal against NEET can only be done to God.

Reacting to the SC order, DMK leader, MK Stalin said: “The people of Tamil Nadu will not forgive the betrayal of both the Centre and State government in the NEET issue.”

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