Tamil Nadu bypassing NEET: CM now writes to PM for President's Assent

The assembly had in February lat passed the Tamil Nadu Admissions to Post Graduate Courses in Medicine and Dentistry Bill, 2017 and Tamil Nadu Admissions to MBBS and BDS Courses Bill, 2017, apparently aimed at bypassing the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test.

Palaniswami said as per the existing practice in the state, a total of 50 per cent of state quota seats were allocated to doctors in government service.

However, the NEET prospectus indicated that admission would be undertaken by the designated authorities using NEET marks as per applicable regulations.

He said the regulations in NEET had brought to "naught" the admission policy presently followed by the state government.

"As a result provision of quality health care to needy people in rural and remote areas has been placed in jeopardy", he said.

He also said the state government would appeal against the Madras High Court order that admissions to Post Graduate courses should be according to the regulations by the Medical Council of India.

He said the earlier assurances by the Central government that there would not be any interference with the State government's policy, "have not been adhered to".

Palaniswami requested Modi to "urgently" readdress this issue by expediting the Presidential assent to the bills.

Union Health Minister JP Nadda had recently said NEET was "being implemented" in Tamil Nadu also and asked the state government to consider giving reservation to rural students.