The AIADMK on Monday questioned President Ram Nath Kovind’s decision to reject the two Bills cleared by the Tamil Nadu Assembly, seeking exemption for the State from the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET).
AIADMK’s floor leader in the Rajya Sabha, A. Navaneethakrishnan, said the President’s decision, based on the Union Home Ministry’s advice, was ‘unconstitutional’ and ‘illegal’. “The Tamil Nadu Legislature unanimously passed the two legislation(s). I am of the humble opinion that the Hon’ble President need not accept the advice given by the Central government. Whether it is the Congress or the BJP, they are doing the same thing,” Mr. Navaneethakrishnan said.
He said the President had to mandatorily clear a Bill passed by an Assembly. “The Centre’s jurisdiction comes (in)to play only once the President gives assent to the Bill. In case of the NEET legislation, the President and the Centre have done a totally unconstitutional and illegal thing,” he told the Rajya Sabha.
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The AIADMK’s arch-rival, the DMK, supported the ruling party’s stand. DMK MP Tiruchi Siva said the Union government’s decision went against the principles of federalism. “NEET is a stumbling block for poor students. It does not take into consideration their marks in Class XII. The examination is conducted based on the CBSE syllabus, and those who have studied under the State Board are at a disadvantage. Only those who join coaching institutes are able to clear it,” Mr. Siva said.
The DMK staged a walkout from the Rajya Sabha over the issue.