Coordinate with oppn-ruled states: Capt to AG

AMARINDER GAVE THE DIRECTIONS AFTER A VIRTUAL MEETING CONVENED BY CONGRESS PRESIDENT SONIA GANDHI WITH SEVEN CHIEF MINISTERS OF STATES RULED BY NON-NDA PARTIES

CHANDIGARH: With just days to go for the NEET and JEE exams for admission to medical and engineering colleges being conducted amid the Covid-19 pandemic, Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Wednesday directed state advocate general Atul Nanda to coordinate with his counterparts in other oppositionruled states for filing a collective review petition in the Supreme Court, seeking deferment of the exams.

Amarinder gave the direction after a virtual meeting convened by Congress president Sonia Gandhi with the chief ministers of seven oppositionruled states to discuss this and other issues of common concern, including delay in Goods and Service tax (GST) compensation release and the farm ordinances by the Centre, according to an official release.

“There is no time to seek time from the Prime Minister to discuss the issue. Let us all get together to move the Supreme Court for postponement of the exams, which are threatening the lives of lakhs of students,” he said in response to a suggestion in this regard.

Pointing out that world over, exams were being held online, the Punjab chief minister suggested that the NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test), JEE (Joint Entrance Examination) and other professional examinations could also be held online and there was no need to put the students at risk.

STATES NOT CONSULTED ON NEP, SAYS CM

Referring to the New Education Policy, Amarinder said that it was thrust on the states without consultation. He said his government would be setting up a committee soon to assess the impact of the New Education Policy on the state’s education system and finances.

“Every state has its own system, which the Government of India failed to take into account before announcing the policy,” he said.

On the issue of mandatory final term exams for colleges/ universities, he said the University Grants Commission (UGC) had failed to take cognisance of his government’s concerns. “How can we have exams with Covid projected to peak in the state in September?” he said, adding that “I also want students to take exams and pass too, but how can I do this in the midst of the crisis?”