CHENNAI: Opposition parties DMK and Congress, on Tuesday raised in the Assembly the suicide of Pratheepa who failed in NEET and another candidate Krithiga who is being treated after attempting to end her life.
Health Minister C Vijay Baskar said the number of students who passed NEET had gone up, but the government was firm in its policy to get exemption for Tamil Nadu from NEET.
School Education Minister KA Sengottaiyan said just two students from government schools passed NEET last year, but now 1,337 students from government schools have been successful.
However, expressing dissatisfaction over the government’s response, Leader of Opposition MK Stalin led DMK members in a walk out. Congress and IUML members followed suit.
Raising the issue through a special mention, Stalin wanted to know the fate of the two bills seeking exemption, adopted unanimously by the State government. Only around 39 per cent of students from Tamil
Nadu appeared for NEET had passed the examination. “Last year, we lost Anitha to NEET. This year, already one student is dead and another is fighting for life in hospital. How many more will we be losing,” he asked. Responding, the health minister said Pratheepa passed NEET last year and got admission for Siddha course. But, she did not join and opted for the test this year too, but failed. It was unfortunate.