COIMBATORE: Chief Minister ‘Edappadi’ K Palaniswami on Friday said that he will be meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on February 27 to get exemption for students from appearing for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for admission to medical and dental courses. He was speaking to reporters on reaching Coimbatore as part of the unveiling of the 112-ft statue of Adiyogi at the Isha Yoga Centre. Later in the day, after the event, Modi held talks with Palaniswami at Coimbatore airport.
“We have passed a resolution in the State Assembly, seeking exemption from the NEET. We have also sent the documents to the Centre, requesting for approval. We hope that the Centre would approve it. I will also be meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 27 to seek exemption for TN from NEET,” said the Chief Minister.
Expressing his intention to implement hydrocarbon extraction project in the State, he said he would discuss the subject with the PM and “initiate action in such a way that it would not affect farmers”. “We have sanctioned Rs 2,204 crore as drought relief fund for farmers in the State and it would be disbursed in five days time,” he added.
On the implementation of Avinashi-Athikadavu project, he said, “As assured by former CM J Jayalalithaa, the project was designed at a cost of Rs 3,523 crore. In the first phase, `3 crore has been sanctioned for preliminary works. The project design has been sent to the Centre. Once the Centre gives consent, the project will be implemented,” he said.
Asked about Kerala’s move to construct check dams across the Bhavani, he said legal route would be explored and there would be no compromise on the State’s water rights. As directed by the Supreme Court, the government would take it up along with the Cauvery Water Management Board case.