Even as DMK members urged the AIADMK government to exert pressure on the Centre over NEET, the Tamil Nadu government said it was against NEET “to this minute” and would continue to fight against it. It also added that steps are being taken to ensure social justice and safeguard the interests of rural students in the State.
Participating in a debate on the demand for grants for the Health department, DMK members Poongothai Aladi Aruna (Alangulam) and R. Masilamani (Mailam) said that the Dravidian movement had ensured social justice in the State and the introduction of NEET was against the interest of rural students in the State.
“Universities in Russia, England, the US and elsewhere have made learning of the native language in the first year of medical education compulsory for students. How can a student from Odisha inform a patient in Tirunelveli that she has been blessed with twins?” Ms. Aruna questioned.
Certain controversial remarks made by Mr. Masilamani, referring to certain social groups behind the implementation of NEET, and the reply offered by Minister P. Thangamani and DMK Deputy Floor Leader Duraimurugan over the issue, were expunged by Deputy Speaker Pollachi V. Jayaraman, who was in the Chair.
Health Minister C. Vijaya Baskar clarified that the State government was against the implementation of NEET “to this minute” and was taking all possible efforts to oppose it.
The Minister also referred to the recent introduction of sub-quota in medical admissions to ensure that the interests of students taking medical admissions from the State are protected.
