Chennai, Apr 9 (UNI) An All Party meeting convened by the ruling DMK
to decide on the next course of action after the Centre refused assent
to the Bill adopted in the State Assembly seeking exemption from the
purview of NEET exams, began here on Wednesday evening.
While the Floor leaders of various political parties took part in the meeting,
the principal Opposition AIADMK, though it supported the Government's
stand to exempt TN from NEET, and the BJP boycotted it as the meeting
would not serve any purpose.
Chief Minister and DMK President had on April 4 announced in the State
Assembly termed the Centre's refusal to given assent to NEET exemption
Bill as a black chapter in Federal history, and called for an All party meeting
to decide on the next course of action.
He also promised that legal experts would be consulted to decide on the
next course of legal battle on the issue and assured that his government
would take all legal steps to realise the dream of young medical aspirants
and their parents by exempting TN from the purview of NEET and ensuring
admissions to UG MBBS courses based on the marks secured in Plus two
Board exams.
Speaking at the All Party meeting, Mr Stalin listed out various steps taken by
the DMK regime on the issue.
Mr Stalin recalled that twice resolutions were adopted in the State Assembly
and sent to the Centre for Presidential assent.
However, after putting it on hold for a prolonged period, the centre has nixed
the NEET Bill, shattering the dreams of young, poor and rural students aspiring
to pursue medicine.
"It is a black chapter in the history of Federalism’, he said.
The Centre's authoritarian attitude disregarding and insulting the dignity of the
House, elected by the people, is a black chapter in the history of federalism as
enshrined in the Constitution.
Keeping in mind the interests of the poor and rural students, Tamil Nadu has
been waging a long battle against NEET exams and allow the state to continue
with the existing system of admitting students to UG Medical courses based
on Plus 2 (Class XII) marks.
It may be noted that one of the promises made by the DMK in its 2021 election
manifesto was securing NEET exemption as the entrance examination only
favoured the rich and those from the affluent sections of society who alone could
afford coaching.
Justifying AIADMK boycotting the meeting, AIADMK General Secretary and Leader
of the Opposition in the State Assembly Edappadi K Palaniswami termed it as a
drama as it would not serve any purpose.
He accused the DMK of not having anything done for the last four years after
promising ahead of the 2021 Assembly polls that it would take steps to exempt
TN from the purview of NEET.
He said the All party meeting has been convened with an eye on the Assembly
elections due next year.
On Mr Stalin daring him to impose a condition to BJP, with which the AIADMK
is likely to revive the electoral ties, that alliance would formalise it only if TN was
exempted from NEET, the AIADMK leader countered it saying did Mr Stalin
imposed any condition with the Congress during the 2019, 2021 and 2024 polls
that there would be alliance only if Cauvery waters are released as per the final
order of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal every month and that Karnataka
should not construct the proposed Mekedatu Dam that would affect the farmers
in TN.
He also sought to know whether Mr Stalin imposed any condition on increasing
the storage level in the Mullaiperiyar dam in Kerala for aligning with the CPI(M).
He alleged that the DMK regime has failed in NEET and the all party meeting
was a drama convened with an eye on the elections as it had realised that it
had lost people's support.
UNI GV 1725