The Kerala Assembly on Tuesday adopted a resolution urging the BJP-led Union government to take appropriate steps to reform the national entrance examination system in the wake of leak of National Eligibility Test (NEET) papers and widespread irregularities in the conduct of professional entrance examinations.
The resolution, moved by Higher Education Minister Roji M. John, was supported by MLAs from the United Democratic Front (UDF) and the Left Democratic Front (LDF). Two BJP legislators opposed it, taking issue with the Union government’s criticism of its formulation.
The minister said the decision was brought at a time when the credibility and transparency of examinations like NEET were under threat due to widespread irregularities, technical errors at examination centers and deficiencies in the assessment system.
“It is condemnable that the Union government and the relevant authorities fail to take corrective steps and acknowledge the seriousness of the errors despite numerous reports of irregularities,” the resolution said.
She said such violations negatively impact the years of hard work, dedication and preparation of students across the country and violate their constitutional right to equality.
The decision called for exemplary criminal procedures to be taken against erring officials and a crackdown on malpractice networks organizing examinations.
“It is important to promote an effective mechanism to ensure that the views and suggestions of state governments are duly taken into account while taking policy decisions on entrance examinations. Education is a subject in the Concurrent List of the Constitution,” he said.
The amendment moved by BJP MLA V Muraleedharan to delete criticism of the Union government from the resolution was rejected, following which the resolution was adopted by voice vote.
