On February 8, 2022, a special Assembly session of Tamil Nadu Assembly re-adopted the anti-NEET Bill. This bill was returned by Governor R N Ravi in January.

Highlights

• Governor’s decision to return this bill was considered confrontational by State Government, because he was not agreed with the bill and also because of remarks of state-appointed expert committee about NEET, which is backed by central government.
• With the re-adopting and sending it again to the Governor, Bill is likely to be forwarded to the President for his assent.

About the bill

The Bill seeks to dispense with NEET, for admission in undergraduate medical degree courses in Tamil Nadu. Bill will provide for admission to undergraduate courses in dentistry, medicine, Indian medicine and homeopathy, based on marks obtained in qualifying examination. It also provides 7.5% horizontal quota in medical admission for students of government schools.

Why was Bill returned by Governor?

Governor had studied the bill in detail as well as report of high-level committee led by Justice A K Rajan, which was basis of Anti-NEET Bill. He also examined the pre-NEET status of social justice in medical admission, specifically for students coming from socially and economically poor background. Governor returned the bill for reconsideration on February 1, 2022 because in his opinion, Bill is against interests of students especially the rural and economically poor students.

Governor’s power on Bill

Article 200 of the Constitution deals with powers of the Governor with respect to assent given to bills passed by State legislature and other powers of Governor like reserving bill for President’s consideration.