CHENNAI: Health minister C. Vijayabaskar on Saturday announced 85 per cent reservation in medical admission for state board students who had passed Neet and said a G.O. to ensure the quota had been issued on June 22. Replying to questions raised by DMK floor deputy leader K. Duraimurugan and Congress member Vijayadharani in the Assembly, the minister said two bills passed by the state Assembly seeking exemption from Neet had been pending clearance from the Centre. If the bills are approved, admission for medical courses would be based on Class 12 examinations. If there is a delay in clearance of the Neet exemption bills, the reservation would be followed in admissions.
Vijayabaskar said a total of 4.2 lakh state board students and 4,675 CBSE students had written Neet which comes to 95 per cent of state board students and just five per cent of CBSE students. After consulting legal experts, 15 per cent had been allocated for CBSE students and 85 per cent for state board students. The applications for medical courses would be issued on June 26 and counselling would be held on July 17 after the conclusion of the all India counselling.
Reacting to the minister’s announcement, DMK MLA Thangam Thennarasu said the reservation should be protected from possible legal obstacles. He asked if Class 12 examination marks would also be considered for admission. The minister said the GO had been framed after consulting legal experts, besides reflecting the sentiments of the state and safeguarding the state’s rights. The government is working for appropriate legal protection for the government’s move. If the Neet exemption bill got approval, admissions would be based on class 12 and if not counselling would be held based on Neet marks.
Intervening DMK member K. Ponmudi said 15 per cent of the seats would come under all India quota and within the 85 per cent reservation for state board students, 69 per cent reservation should be followed.
Earlier, raising the issue Duraimurugan said Tamil Nadu students had been severely affected in Neet and their future would be affected. He asked about the steps taken by the state government to save Tamil Nadu. Vijayadharani said the state government should take steps to get approval for its Neet exemption bill since it would be the only solution to the students' problems.
