DMK assures scrapping of NEET, promises quota in private sector

The DMK on March 19 promised to do away with the National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET) for medical admissions and usher in quota in the private sector in its manifesto for the Lok Sabha election. “The NEET for medical admissions will be scrapped,” said DMK chief MK Stalin while unveiling the salient features of his party’s manifesto.

Opposition to NEET in Tamil Nadu from major political parties and students has taken emotive overtones in the past. Stalin said steps will be taken to implement reservation in the private sector. The party also assured steps for waiver of all educational loans taken by students.

In the backdrop of agitations by state government employees seeking reversion to the old pension scheme, in place of the newly-introduced contributory scheme, the DMK chief said, “We will bring back the old pension scheme for both central and state government employees.”

The DMK president said the party will revert to the administered price mechanism to regulate the prices of petrol, diesel and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Another key feature of the manifesto is to do away with the direct cash transfer of subsidy for LPG and bring down the prices of cylinders. The DMK is contesting 20 seats in the state, allotting the remaining 19 to its allies. The state goes to polls in a single phase on April 18.