The High Court of Karnataka on Tuesday directed the State government to reconsider, by Wednesday, the decision to conduct the Common Entrance Test-2020 for various professional courses as per the schedule on July 30 and 31 in view of the “drastic change” in the COVID-19 situation in the State when compared with the scenario that existed on May 13, when the test schedule was announced.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka and Justice H.P. Sandesh passed the order while hearing a batch of PIL petitions seeking postponement of CET-2020.
Hearing of the petitions will continue at 2.30 p.m. on Wednesday.
The Bench noted that more than 5,000 COVID-19 cases are being reported every day from the past two weeks in the State and around 2,000 cases a day are being detected in Bengaluru city alone.
Pointing out that Bengaluru city alone has more than 5,000 containment zones and the standard operating procedure (SOP) dealing with the containment zones prevents persons residing in such zones from coming out, the Bench asked how the students from such zones would be able to attend the CET.
The Bench orally observed that CET is not like holding SSLC exam, where a second opportunity has been provided for those who could not attend it, as the entrance test is held only once and many students may miss it owing the present situation.
The petitioners have pointed out that a large number of students could be affected owing to the spread of COVID-19 if the CET is held as per the schedule. It has been also contended in the petitions that the students coming from other States and those depending on public transport would be affected because of lack of proper transport facility.
Will seek instructions, says Minister
Meanwhile, after a meeting with officials of different departments, Deputy Chief Minister and Higher Education Minister C.N. Ashwath Narayan said preparedness for the CET was assessed. “All the deputy commissioners, and officials of Transport, Police and Health departments were also present at the meeting. All the departments have done full preparations for conducting the CET. Nobody will be put to inconvenience,” he said.
He said they would present this before the High Court on Wednesday and seek the court’s “instructions”.
