Azad writes to PM on NEET

Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has written to the Prime Minister justifying the need for retaining the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) for admissions to MBBS, BDS and PG courses in all medical colleges.

Last month the Supreme Court has quashed the common entrance test with a majority judgment. The Ministry has decided to file the review petition and has also sought the advice of the department of Legal Affairs in the matter, the Minister said in his letter.

Mr. Azad’s letter comes within days after the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, J. Jayalalithaa wrote to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh protesting against the Centre’s decision to file a petition in the Supreme Court seeking review of its judgment quashing the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET).

In a dissenting judgment, Justice A.R. Dave had upheld the Medical Council of India’s decision to conduct this common entrance exam saying that holding of NEET is “legal, practical and need of the society.”

Correction

The opening paragraph of the report, “Azad writes to PM on NEET” (August 7, 2013) referred to Ghulam Nabi Azad as the Union Health and Family Planning Minister. The correct designation is Union Health and Family Welfare Minister .