August 16, 2023
Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Introduction
In a poignant clash of interests, the Tamil Nadu state government, led by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, finds itself at odds with the Governor’s office over the contentious issue of the anti-NEET bill. The bill, officially known as the ‘Tamil Nadu Admission to Under Graduate Medical Degree Courses Bill, 2021,’ has reignited debates about the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) and its impact on aspiring medical students.
The roots of the disagreement lie in the Tamil Nadu government’s vehement opposition to NEET, which it contends disadvantages rural and economically disadvantaged students, favoring those with access to costly coaching classes. The state’s Chief Minister, Stalin, recently highlighted these concerns in a tweet where he summarized the key points of his letter to President Murmu.
Based on AK Rajan committee Recommendations
The bill, formulated based on recommendations from a committee chaired by Justice A.K Rajan. It had initially been introduced in the legislative assembly in 2021. However, the Governor’s decision to return the bill after a delay of five months prompted the state government to reintroduce and pass it again. The bill’s ultimate aim is to secure the President’s approval and thereby exempt Tamil Nadu from the NEET-based admission process.
Stalin has repeatedly emphasized that the state government’s NEET Exemption Bill represents the collective will of the people of Tamil Nadu, reflecting a legislative consensus. However, the toll of NEET-related deaths in the state continues to rise, currently standing at 16. This tragic figure includes a recent incident in which a student and his father tragically took their own lives.
Stalin attributed these heart-wrenching deaths to the Governor’s failure to cancel NEET, despite having the opportunity to do so twice. In response, he has not only reached out to the President with a plea for support but has also voiced his belief that transferring education from the Concurrent list to the State list would provide the means to eliminate NEET.
At the core of this controversy is the role of NEET as the sole entrance exam for admission to undergraduate medical courses across the nation. While the test was introduced in 2012, Tamil Nadu. Along with West Bengal and a few other states, has consistently opposed its implementation. After a Supreme Court order in 2017, NEET had become nationally instituted, excluding the aforementioned states.
Conclusion
As Tamil Nadu grapples with the devastating loss of young lives and political differences persist, the broader debate over NEET’s merits and drawbacks continues to draw attention. The future of medical education in the state hangs in the balance, awaiting resolutions that can reconcile the concerns of students, parents, and policymakers alike.
