In a letter to Nadda, Venugopal said that the aspirants have been subjected to a series of “distressing and impractical” changes regarding their examination centres and dates, culminating in a situation that demands immediate rectification.
New Delhi: Congress general secretary K C Venugopal on Friday raised with Health Minister J P Nadda the issue of “impractical changes” in the examination centres of NEET-PG candidates from Kerala and ensure they are allotted centres within their state or in nearby locations. In a letter to Nadda, the MP from Kerala’s Alappuzha said he wanted to bring to his urgent attention the plight of numerous candidates from Kerala and elsewhere who have applied for the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test for postgraduate medical courses (NEET-PG).
Sharing a post on X(previously Twitter), Congress general secretary K C Venugopal wrote, “I wrote to the Union Health Minister urging him to make arrangements for additional NEET-PG centres in Kerala. At present, 1000+ Keralites have been forced to go all the way to Andhra Pradesh and struggle with accommodation and travel at this crunch hour.” “Kerala is reeling under a huge catastrophe that has shaken us to the core, which makes it all the more important that adequate centres are set up in Kerala and our students are given much needed relief,” the post further read.
In a letter to Nadda, Venugopal said that the aspirants have been subjected to a series of “distressing and impractical” changes regarding their examination centres and dates, culminating in a situation that demands immediate rectification.
Furthermore, he added that the NEET-PG exam, initially announced to be held on March 3, has been postponed multiple times. “Most recently, the exam was rescheduled to August 11. On July 19, aspirants were asked to select new exam centres. Disturbingly, candidates from Kerala were provided limited options within the state and a mandatory fourth option in faraway places like Andhra Pradesh,” he added.
I wrote to the Union Health Minister urging him to make arrangements for additional NEET-PG centres in Kerala. At present, 1000+ Keralites have been forced to go all the way to Andhra Pradesh and struggle with accommodation and travel at this crunch hour.
As we all know,… pic.twitter.com/BXiVxXNVvX
— K C Venugopal (@kcvenugopalmp) August 2, 2024
“Despite assurances that the details of exam centres would be released on July 29, candidates received emails only on July 31, merely indicating the city names. Specific centre details are to be disclosed on August 8, just three days before the exam,” the letter read.
“Given these circumstances, allocating exam centres far from candidates’ home towns is not only impractical but also inhumane. I urge you to intervene immediately and ensure that NEET-PG candidates from Kerala are allotted exam centres within their state or at the very least, in nearby locations. This will alleviate the immense stress and logistical challenges they are currently facing,” Venugopal said.
Meanwhile, Kerala BJP president K Surendran stated that the Union Health Minister JP Nadda has agreed to the request made by candidates regarding the allotment of NEET PG exam centres within the state. Kerala BJP candidate said,” Hundreds of MBBS doctors in Kerala have been continuously requesting a NEET PG exam center in the state. On July 31, I spoke with Health Minister Shri @JPNadda Ji and submitted a request letter highlighting the urgent need for this center. Today, @JPNadda Ji informed me that the request will be granted and the center will be announced on August 5. On behalf of all Keralites, my heartfelt thanks go to Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi Ji and Health Minister Shri J.P. Nadda Ji for their support and prompt action.”