Karnataka Assembly passes resolution to scrap NEET, joins Tamil Nadu and West Bengal
Bengaluru: On Thursday, the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government in Karnataka passed a resolution in both houses of the legislature to abolish the all-India medical exam NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test). With this move, Karnataka becomes the third state to pass a resolution against NEET, following Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.
The resolution highlights serious irregularities in the NEET exam and calls on the Union Government to exempt Karnataka from NEET, advocating a return to the previous Common Entrance Test (CET) system for medical college admissions in the state.
“The NEET examination which severely affects the medical education opportunities of poor rural students, makes schooling redundant and deprives the right of the State Governments to admit students in State Government Medical colleges, should be abolished,” the resolution said.
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Former minister CN Ashwath Narayan criticised the Congress for what he termed political opportunism, asserting that the party is opposing it for political reasons. He added that NEET was intended to create uniformity among students from various backgrounds and regions.
State Minister of Medical Education and Skill Development Dr. Sharan Prakash Patil moved the resolution in the legislative assembly, while Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar presented it in the legislative council. Earlier, Shivakumar had expressed concerns about NEET, noting that while Karnataka has built its medical colleges, the NEET exam is predominantly benefitting North Indian students and depriving local students. “We all have to unitedly fight against this,” he said.
In addition to scrapping NEET, the Karnataka Assembly also passed a resolution opposing the Centre’s “One Nation, One Election” proposal.
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UP: BJP MLA falls on rail track while flagging off Vande Bharat train
Etawah (UP), Sep 16: BJP's Etawah MLA Sarita Bhadauriya fell onto the railway tracks while vying to wave the green flag for the Agra-Varanasi Vande Bharat Express here on Monday.
Purported videos of the incident surfaced on social media.
The incident occurred amidst a crowded platform as the train arrived around 6 pm. The 61-year-old second-term BJP lawmaker was among a host of people holding the green flag as they stood at the platform, the video showed.
Following the virtual inauguration of the Vande Bharat train by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the train, numbered 20175, was flagged off by the Rail Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu from Agra.
When contacted by PTI, BJP's Etawah unit treasurer Sanjeev Bhadauriya said, "The MLA was helped off the track and she then waited for some time at the platform for the flag-off event."
"Later she consulted doctors and is resting at her home now. She did not suffer any visible physical injuries. If there is any internal injury, it is yet to be confirmed," Bhadauriya said.
The train made stops at Tundla before arriving at Etawah station. Upon its arrival, a commotion ensued on the platform as various political figures, including Samajwadi Party MP Jitendra Douwhare, former BJP MP Ram Shankar, and current MLA Sarita Bhadauriya, gathered to participate in the flag-off, the videos showed.
As the train's horn signalled its departure, the platform became chaotic with supporters jostling for position. In the ensuing melee, the MLA was pushed off the platform and she fell onto the railway tracks in front of the train, it showed.
The train was stopped in time by bystanders, preventing a major accident. Bhadauriya was quickly rescued from the tracks by the police and taken to the hospital, according to eyewitnesses.
Talking about the operation date for the Vande Bharat Express, PRO Prashasti Srivastava from the Agra division of the railways said that the date will be announced soon.
The train will cover the distance between Agra and Varanasi in approximately seven hours. The return train will operate as number 20176 from Varanasi to Agra, while the Agra-Varanasi service will be number 20175.
Etawah, UP: The flag-off ceremony for the Agra-Varanasi Vande Bharat Express faced chaos due to heavy rush, and BJP's Etawah Sadar MLA, Sarita Bhadoria, fell in front of the train pic.twitter.com/p10CfbDIF0
— IANS (@ians_india) September 16, 2024
