NEET has some practical problems, says govt

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, May 2

Lok Sabha Members raised the issue of holding the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) for medical courses and asked the government to intervene in the matter, as Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Venkaiah Naidu admitted to the fact that there are “some practical problems” in the system, which the government will look into.

Naidu noted that the decision was taken by the Supreme Court and not the government. He said he would convey the concerns of members to the Health Minister, who in turn will consult law officers and then decide on the subject.

KC Venugopal (Congress) called the decision “hasty and not practical” and said it had triggered much “confusion and apprehension” among parents and students. He did not oppose the examination but said it should have been implemented from next year onward, noting that some states had already taken their exams.

The two-phase test, first on May 1 and second on July 24, is also “discriminatory” as questions asked in the first phase will not be asked in the next, Venugopal said, adding: “It will create havoc.” He asked the government to take necessary step to maintain status quo.

His party colleague Rajiv Satav also spoke on similar lines, saying the decision would affect 80 per cent of Maharashtra students. He asked the government to file a special leave petition in the apex court.