'Intervene urgently,' writes Congress leader JP Nadda to allot examination centers in or near the state for Kerala NEET PG students
In a letter to Nadda, Venugopal said that aspirants have faced a series of “regrettable and impractical” changes regarding their examination centers and dates, resulting in a situation that calls for immediate rectification.
New Delhi: Congress general secretary KC Venugopal on Friday raised the issue of “impractical changes” in exam centers for NEET-PG candidates in Kerala along with health minister JP Nadda and ensured that they are given centers in their state or nearby. In a letter to Nadda, the MP from Alappuzha, Kerala said he wanted to draw attention to the plight of numerous candidates from Kerala and elsewhere who had applied for the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test for Postgraduate Medical Courses (NEET-PG). .
Sharing a post on X (formerly Twitter), Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal wrote, “I have written to the Union Health Minister requesting to arrange additional NEET-PG centers in Kerala. Currently, 1000+ Keralites have been forced to move to Andhra Pradesh and struggle for accommodation and travel during this crisis.” “Kerala is reeling from a major calamity that has shaken us, making it all the more important that adequate centers be set up in Kerala and provide the much-needed relief to our students,” the post continued.
In a letter to Nadda, Venugopal said that the aspirants have faced a series of “unfortunate and impractical” changes regarding their examination centers and dates, resulting in a situation that calls for immediate rectification.
Moreover, he added that the NEET-PG examination, initially announced to be held on March 3, has been postponed several times. “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 in the state and a mandatory fourth option in distant places like Andhra Pradesh,” he added.
I wrote to the Union Health Minister requesting to arrange additional NEET-PG centers in Kerala. Currently, 1000+ Keralites have been forced to move to Andhra Pradesh and struggle for accommodation and travel during this crisis.
As we all know,… pic.twitter.com/BXiVxXNVvX
— KC Venugopal (@kcvenugopalmp) 2 August 2024
“Despite the assurance that details of exam centers would be announced on July 29, candidates received emails only on July 31 showing the names of the cities. The details of the specific center will be announced on August 8, just three days before the exam,” the letter said.
“Given this situation, it is not only impractical but also inhumane to allot examination centers away from the candidates' villages. I request you to immediately intervene and ensure that NEET-PG candidates from Kerala are given exam centers in their state or at least nearby places. This will reduce the huge stress and logistical challenges they are currently facing,” Venugopal said.
Meanwhile, Kerala BJP President K Surendran said that Union Health Minister JP Nadda has agreed to the request made by the candidates regarding allotment of NEET PG examination centers in the state. A Kerala BJP candidate said, “Hundreds of MBBS doctors from Kerala are continuously requesting for NEET PG exam centers in the state. On July 31, I spoke to Health Minister Shri @JPNadda ji and submitted a request letter highlighting the urgent need for this centre. Today, @JPNadda ji informed me that the request will be accepted and the center will be announced on 5th August. On behalf of all Keralites I sincerely thank Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji and Health Minister Shri JP Nadda ji for their support. and immediate action.
