Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma. Subramanian on Sunday rebutted Governor R.N. Ravi's statement on the state's anti-NEET bill and said the latter has got nothing to do with the bill anymore. He added the bill has been sent for Presidential assent.
Talking to presspersons at Thenkasi on Sunday, Subramanian said, “People in Tamil Nadu wish for exemption from NEET and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin is working on this regard.” He added that the state Assembly had re-adopted the bill, seeking exemption for Tamil Nadu from the NEET's ambit after Ravi returned it earlier.
"Left with no other option (this time), the Governor had sent the bill to the President. The bill is still alive. President forwarded the bill to the home ministry and they sought clarifications from Ayush, health and education departments, to which we have replied,” Subramanian said. He added, “Governor has got nothing to do with NEET (bill) anymore. His assent is no longer needed. This being the situation, the governor is trying to deceive the public with his statement,” The Hindu Tamil reported quoting the minister.
“If the President is satisfied and gives assent to the bill, the information of the approval will be shared with the Governor. In such a situation, his remarks against the anti-NEET bill amounted to 'fishing in troubled waters'," he said.
“A governor should ideally support the welfare initiatives of the state government and the DMK regime's stand against the NEET was reflective of the public sentiment. DMK president and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin had made an electoral assurance in 2021 to do away with the central qualifying test, if voted to power in the elections then,” he said.
In his interaction with top NEET scorers in UG-2023, held as part of the 'Dare to Think Series' on Saturday, Ravi had said achievements without NEET were not enough for the future. The qualifying test is here to stay, he had asserted.
"Look, I will be the last man to give clearance; never, ever. I do not want my children to feel intellectually disabled. I want our children to compete and be the best. They have proved it," he added.
(With PTI inputs.)
