Presidential Disapproval of Tamil Nadu’s NEET Exemption Bill: President Murmu has withheld assent to the Tamil Nadu bill seeking exemption from NEET for medical admissions. This is because it aims to use Class XII marks for medical admissions rather than NEET scores.
Legislative Process and Rejection: The Bill was initially passed in the Tamil Nadu Assembly in September 2021, returned by the Governor, and then re-adopted. The central government has now rejected the exemption.
Reasons for Rejection: The state government believes NEET hinders access to medical education for poor and rural students. The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu has accused the Centre of disregarding the state’s will.
Governor’s Role: After a state legislature passes a Bill, the Governor has multiple options, including reserving it for the President. In this case, the Governor reserved the bill for the President, and the President ultimately withheld assent.
President’s Power: The President can give assent, withhold assent, or return the bill for reconsideration. The President’s decision to withhold assent effectively kills the Bill.
Contextual Importance: NEET has significant emotional undertones in Tamil Nadu, with multiple student suicides linked to the exam. All political parties in the state, except the BJP, support abolishing NEET.
