NEET issue: DMK blames Centre, TN govt for betraying state students

Chennai, July 22: Opposition DMK on Saturday alleged that the Centre's policies against social justice and the AIADMK government's "ignorance" had poured cold water on the medical aspirations of students in Tamil Nadu.

DMK Working President and Leader of Opposition in Tamil Nadu Assembly MK Stalin said his party, while in government, had upheld social justice by ensuring reservation to the communities concerned.

This had enabled students from simple background get access to professional education and graduate as doctors and engineers, he said, adding, the party-led government had earlier done away with entrance exam for such courses.

However, with the introduction of the National Entrance cum Eligibility Test (NEET), social justice was facing a 'danger', he said in a statement.

Hitting out at the ruling AIADMK over the handling of the NEET issue, Stalin said it was yet to ensure Presidential nod for the two bills adopted in the state Assembly seeking exemption for Tamil Nadu from the entrance exam.

"Due to the ignorance of the AIADMK government and Central BJP government's policies against social justice, NEET has entered Tamil Nadu and poured cold water on the medical aspirations of the state's students," he said. He also questioned state Ministers recently meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other Central Ministers in Delhi on the NEET issue, indicating it was a delayed step.

A memorandum was submitted to Modi by the delegation of Ministers on Thursday seeking Presidential nod for two Bills passed recently by the state assembly and now pending with the Centre.

Stalin urged his supporters to ensure good participation in the July 27 human chain, seeking Presidential assent for two Bills adopted by Assembly. CPI and VCK had already announced that they will participate in the DMK's human chain protest.

PTI