"Only solution to restore role of state govt for MBBS courses," MK Stalin over NEET-UG exam controversy

Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], June 13 : Amidst the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test - Undergraduate (NEET-UG) paper leak and results controversy row, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Thursday said that the only solution for this issue is to restore the role of state governments in deciding the method of selection for MBBS courses.
Stalin alleged that the Union Government's attempt to wriggle out of the "NEET scam" by agreeing to the cancellation of grace marks was another admission of their ineptitude.
"The Union Government's attempt to wriggle out of the recent #NEET Scam by agreeing to cancellation of grace marks is another admission of their own ineptitude. It should not be allowed to divert attention away from the core problems of irregularities and unprofessional conduct of exams, after taking away the right of States," the Tamil Nadu CM posted on X.
"While condemning their incompetence as well apathy towards the agony of lakhs of students, we reiterate that the only solution for this issue is to restore the role of state governments in deciding the method of selection for MBBS courses," he added.
Meanwhile, alleging that there has been fraud and "paper leak" in the NEET-UG exam conducted by National Testing Agency, the Congress said there was a "scam" and demanded a Supreme Court-monitored probe into the matter.
Party chief Mallikarjun Kharge said the problem in NEET exam did not pertain only to grace marks.
"There has been fraud, paper leak, corruption. The future of 24 lakh students, who gave them the exam, is at stake due to the deeds of Modi government. There is nexus between exam centres and coaching centres in a which 'give money, take paper' is happening. The Modi government cannot escape its accountability by putting blame on NTA. The Congress demands an independent probe into the entire NEET scam monitored by Supreme Court," Kharge said in a post on X.
He said strict punishment should be given to the guilty after probe and candidates "should be paid compensation" to save their academic year.
"Modi government has in the past year destroyed career of crores of youth through paper leak and wrongdoing," he alleged.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday said that the government has accepted the Supreme Court's ruling that 1.563 candidates who had been compensated for "time loss" in NEET-UG exam be given the option to either reappear in the exam or accept the original total, without grace marks.
Pradhan hoped that the doubts surrounding the NEE-UG exam will end following the Supreme Court observations.
National Testing Agency, which holds the NEET-UG exam, said on Thursday said that the grace or compensatory marks awarded to all 1563 students stand withdrawn.
"Subsequent to the Hon'ble Supreme Court's Observations on the Report of NTA's High Powered Committee, the grace / compensatory marks awarded to all 1563 students stand withdrawn. A re-test of all the 1563 candidates will be held on June 23, 2024," NTA said in a communication.
"NTA will issue a Public Notice shortly and will also contact these 1563 candidates through email to ensure that they receive the official communication," it added.
Aspirants have raised the issue of leakage of question paper, awarding compensatory marks and anomalies in question of NEET 2024.
Several petitions were filed in the apex court seeking direction to recall NEET-UG 2024 results and to conduct the examination afresh, alleging paper leakage and malpractices in the test held on May 5.
NEET-UG examination, conducted by NTA, is paves the way for admission to MBBS, BDS and AYUSH and other related courses in government and private institutions across the country.