NEET by itself is "irregularity," alleges DMK
Chennai (PTI): The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test per se is an "irregularity," Tamil Nadu's ruling DMK alleged on Saturday and wondered how such a test could be conducted without defects.
The Dravidian party's official organ, 'Murasoli,' in an editorial argued yet again against the test and referred to 'news reports' that a high level committee of experts has submitted a 'report' to the Centre to hold the national test online to prevent irregularities.
"The exam, NEET by itself is an irregularity. How an irregular exam can be conducted without irregularity?" the editorial dated November 2, 2024 asked.
The Supreme Court on October 21, 2024 extended by two weeks the time granted to the Centre-appointed seven-member expert panel to file its report on exam reforms after reviewing the National Testing Agency's functioning in holding the NEET-UG. The top court took note of the fact that the report of the panel was almost complete and granted two more weeks for filing the same.
Murasoli, citing media reports, said that the 7-member panel's recommendations include online test and hybrid model in places where online test could not be conducted. "These (recommendations) will only pave the way for more irregularities. This will benefit more the gang of impersonators. These will be useful only to those who sit for the test in a single exam centre after studying in a single coaching centre."
Citing instances of alleged impersonation witnessed in some northern states during physical NEET tests, the Tamil DMK daily pondered the outcome of an online exam. "That will not be an online exam. That will only be an (aspirant) impersonation test."
NEET facilitated medical education only for some, it kept off the crease those who had studied in state boards and in their mother tongue, the daily alleged.
Question papers are set favouring those who had studied under boards including the CBSE and it does not treat all (who had studied under various boards in different states) equally, it further alleged.
Furthermore, it lined up several other arguments against NEET.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Trump says EU has until July 4 to approve last year's trade deal or it will face higher tariffs
Washington (AP): President Donald Trump has said in a social media post that goods from the European Union would face higher tariff rates if the 27-member bloc fails to approve last year's trade framework by July 4.
The announcement on Thursday appeared to be a deadline extension after the president said last Friday that EU autos would face a higher 25 per cent tariff starting this week. Trump made the updated announcement after what he described as a "great call" with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Still, the US president was displeased that the European Parliament had yet to finalize the trade arrangement reached last year, which was further complicated in February by the US Supreme Court ruling that Trump lacked the legal authority to declare an economic emergency to impose the initial tariffs used to pressure the EU into talks.
"A promise was made that the EU would deliver their side of the Deal and, as per Agreement, cut their Tariffs to ZERO!" Trump posted. "I agreed to give her until our Country's 250th Birthday or, unfortunately, their Tariffs would immediately jump to much higher levels."
It was unclear from the post whether Trump was implying that the tariff rates would jump on all EU goods or the increase would only apply to autos.
His latest statement indicates he might be backing away from his earlier threat on EU autos by giving the European Parliament several more weeks to approve the agreement.
Under the original terms of the framework, the US would charge a 15 per cent tax on most goods imported from the EU.
But since the Supreme Court ruling, the administration has levied a 10 per cent tariff while investigating trade imbalances and national security issues, aiming to put in new tariffs to make up for lost revenues.
