Blurb
Karnataka minister blames Centre for repeated NEET irregularities, demands accountability and reforms
BENGALURU
Karnataka Medical Education Minister Dr. Sharanaprakash R. Patil on Tuesday strongly criticised the Centre over the cancellation of the NEET examination, calling it the “biggest scandal” under the Union Government and demanding the resignation of the Union Education Minister.
Addressing reporters in Bengaluru, Dr. Patil said the repeated controversies surrounding the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) over the past few years reflected the “complete failure” of the BJP-led Central Government in conducting a credible national examination.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) recently cancelled the NEET examination conducted on May 3 following allegations of question paper leaks and announced a re-examination, leaving lakhs of medical aspirants uncertain about their future.
Dr. Patil said the Centre had ignored repeated concerns and failed to take preventive measures despite recurring irregularities. “The guilty must be brought to justice. Where question paper leaks happen, crores of rupees exchange hands. This is corruption and administrative incompetence,” he alleged.
Expressing concern over the emotional stress faced by students and parents, the minister said conducting the examination again would unfairly burden sincere candidates who had spent months preparing. He urged students not to lose confidence and encouraged them to prepare for the re-examination with determination.
Taking a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Dr. Patil said, “The Prime Minister must provide solutions instead of speeches. The person conducting ‘Pariksha Pe Charcha’ should first resolve the chaos surrounding this examination.”
The minister also claimed Karnataka’s Common Entrance Test (CET) had been conducted smoothly without such controversies and said the state’s examination system could serve as a national model.
He further alleged that certain coaching centres in Rajasthan and Haryana were involved in paper leak rackets and demanded strict action against institutions indulging in malpractice. Dr. Patil urged the Centre to dismantle the alleged nexus between coaching centres and examination authorities.