FILE
With the government not budging from its stand on the holding of JEE Main and NEET exams in September, the stand-off with the students continues. Now, six states and a union territory will petition the Supreme Court against the holding of JEE and NEET exams from September 1, flagging concerns of risks due to Covid infection and seeking a postponement till the situation improves. The seven include four governed by Congress (Punjab, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Puducherry), two where the party is in alliance (Maharashtra and Jharkhand) and West Bengal where Mamata Banerjee is in office.
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Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank on Mamata Banerjee, other parties approaching SC
The Supreme Court, while dismissing the writ petition regarding the postponement of these ecams, also observed, inter alia, the following: "Ultimately life has to go on, and the career of the students cannot be put on peril for long and a full academic year cannot be wasted." I would like to state that Parliament will start functioning, offices are functioning. In my opinion, we have to ensure that there is no "Zero academic year" in the lives of students.
Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank says we should save academic year of students
(In an interview to HT)
As per the requests of the students and parents and orders of the honorable Supreme Court, I appeal to all concerned that we should save the academic year of students. I also request that in the interest of students career we should rise above political considerations. Leaving the politics aside, I would like to share that a total of 7.41 lakh candidates out of 8.58 lakh appearing for JEE have downloaded admit cards. Only 332 candidates have requeste for change of their centre cities, which are being considered positively by DG (NTA). In reference to NEET, a total of 6.84 lakh candidates (out of a total of 15.97 lakh) have downloaded admit cards in the first five hours.
Ashwini Kumar Choubey asks opposition leaders not raise unncessary objections
Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Ashwini Kumar Choubey has slammed the leaders opposing the NEET, JEE Main examination in September due to COVID-19 conditions and said it is important to look at the future of students and unnecessary objections should not be raised.
“I think the opposition which is creating a fuss should look at the bright future of the students. They should not make an issue. No one will benefit from playing with the interests of the students. I would urge political parties to not raise unnecessary objections,” Choubey told ANI.
He said that a year’s gap in examinations would mean that the country would not produce thousands of doctors and appealed to students that exams are in their interest and in the interest of the country.
“Whatever decision the government takes, it is taken by keeping the interest and future of students in mind. National Testing Agency (NTA) will conduct the examinations at the national level and those who will succeed in the exam will get a chance to become good doctors and engineers in the future. If we stop the process for a year, then their future will be impacted,” the Minister said.
Odisha CM speaks to PM Modi, requests for JEE, NEET postponement
Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik speaks to PM Narendra Modi over phone, requests to postpone JEE and NEET exams in view of COVID and flood-like situation in many parts of the state.
Congress to hold nationwide protests on Friday against holding of NEET, JEE
- The Congress will hold countrywide protests on August 28 to oppose the government's decision to hold NEET, JEE exams during the pandemic. In a statement AICC general secretary KC Venugopal said the move is in line with concerted opposition to this "dictatorial move" of the government. State units of the Congress will be holding protests on Friday at 11 am in front of central government offices at state and district headquarters, he said.
Over 150 academicians write to PM Modi backing holding of the exams
- Meanwhile, over 150 academicians from various universities in India and abroad have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying that delaying the medical and engineering entrance exams -- JEE-Mains and NEET – any further will mean compromising on the future of students. "The government has announced the dates for JEE-Mains and NEET…any further delay in conducting the exams will result in waste of precious year for students. The dreams and future of our youth and students cannot be compromised at any cost. However, some are trying to play with the future of our students simply to propel their own political agenda and oppose the government,” the letter said.
Amarinder Singh asks Advocate General to file collective review petition in SC
- Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Wednesday asked Advocate General Atul Nanda to coordinate with his counterparts in other Opposition-ruled states for filing a collective review petition in the Supreme Court, seeking a deferment.
7 CMs decide to move Supreme Court
- In a virtual meeting of CMs chaired by Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday, the seven CMs were of the view that while the apex court had okayed the holding of exams, it had in the past shown consideration for students in sensitive situations.
