Reports that Centre trying to scrap NEET baseless: Nadda

Union Health Minister J P Nadda tonight rubbished reports suggesting that the Centre is trying to scrap NEET after the Cabinet gave its nod for an Ordinance relating to this sole national medical entrance test, calling it "baseless".
As details regarding the Ordinance was yet to emerge, Nadda said a "foolproof arrangement" will be finalised in a couple of days to address concerns of all.
Under mounting pressure from several states, the Cabinet earlier in the day gave its nod for promulgation of an Ordinance to keep state boards out of the ambit of the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test(NEET), a uniform entrance exam for admissions to medical and dental colleges.

"Today the Cabinet met. Many issues were discussed. We are consulting and seeing to it that a foolproof arrangement is made. Latest by tomorrow or day after tomorrow we will be coming to a conclusion. Cabinet has given opinion. We are working on it. We will come out with it soon," Nadda told PTI.
The Ordinance, which was cleared, is aimed at "partially" overturning a Supreme Court verdict which said all government colleges, deemed universities and private medical colleges would be covered under NEET.
"Media reports have said that the Centre through an Ordinance is trying to finish NEET. This is baseless. NEET has been implemented. It is in existence. The first phase is over. The second phase will take place on July 24," he said.

Congress attacked the Centre's decision to issue an Ordinance, alleging that it goes against the Supreme Court's verdict in the matter.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi suggesting that the demands for overturning the SC order on NEET had got to do with many politicians running medical colleges of their own.
Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain said the decision was "unfortunate".
Nadda said that there is no need to spread "misconceptions" about NEET being scrapped and asserted that it was the Centre which brought NEET and that is why it will be taken to its "conclusive end" so that students do not face any problem.

"I assure that the questions raised about the private medical colleges will be answered. We will come out with fool proof measures when it (Ordinance) comes into existence," he said, adding that the Centre wants NEET to be implemented in "letter and spirit".