SC defers CET issue till April 13

New Delhi, Mar 27 (UNI) The Supreme Court today refused to stay operation of Madras High Court order quashing a state legislation abolishing Common Entrance Test (CET) for admission to professional courses in Tamil Nadu.

A bench comprising Mr Justice K G Balakrishnan and Mr Justice P P Naolekar issued notices to the students who have challenged the Madras High Court order for April 13. The court also directed that arguments on the stay of the High Court order shall be heard on that date.

The state of Tamil Nadu had brought a legislation folowing which the students of the state are being exempted from appearing in the entrance test while students from other states including the CBSE ones would have to take the entrance test.

The validity of the Act was challenged on the grounds that it was discriminatory in nature and violative of Article 14 of the Indian Constitution.

Senior Councel Nalini Chidambaram opposed the plea of the stay of the High Court order saying the entire examination system "is in a mess and future of students has become uncertain". She said the plea might be considered for the next academic year but not for this session.

Counsel for the petition Mukul Rohatgi, however, pleaded that students coming from educationally and economically backward areas were entitled to the exemption from the entrance test and such exemption was not violative of law of equality.

UNI AKS/SC DKS VC1513