Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Thursday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to exempt Tamil Nadu from National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), while the two shared the stage at an event in Chennai.
Stalin pitched for the Union government to acknowledge a bill passed recently by the Tamil Nadu assembly to exempt the state from the NEET.
Tamil Nadu has been opposing the medical entrance exam NEET as it argues that it favours those who can afford private coaching and denies the opportunity to the marginalised students and those who live in villages.
The TN Governor RN Ravi had earlier returned the bill after nearly 200 days. The Tamil Nadu assembly had unanimously adopted the bill again and sent it to him, hoping he would forward it to the Union.
The new bill has not yet been forwarded to the Union by Governor. Stalin Thursday said that the state does not need Governor to approve the Bill but to send it for Presidential assent “like a postman.”
Stalin also urged PM Modi to make Tamil an official language, on par with Hindi.
“Make Tamil the official language like Hindi and the official language in Madras High Court,” said the Chief Minister.
The DMK has long demanded “official and administrative” language status for Tamil.
Tamil was given the “classical language” status when the UPA was in power.
Stalin also demanded from PM Modi to retrieve Katchatheevu island from Sri Lanka to help Tamil Nadu fishermen.
“I appeal to the government to return the central GST dues of Rs 14,006 crores to our state,” Stalin added.
, while the two shared the stage at an event in Chennai.){kind=link}