Mamata Banerjee appeals to Centre to postpone NEET, JEE examinations amid Covid-19
Kolkata/IBNS: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday appealed to the central government to postpone the JEE and National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) amid Covid-19 pandemic, at a time thousands of students across the country are protesting against the Centre's decision to go ahead with the twin examinations.
Banerjee tweeted, "In our last video conference with the Hon’ble PM Shri @narendramodi Ji, I had been vocal against the UGC guidelines mandating completion of terminal examinations in Universities/Colleges by the end of September 2020, which had a huge potential to put student lives at risk."
"Now with the directive of @EduMinOfIndia to conduct NEET, JEE 2020 in Sep, I would again appeal to the Centre to assess the risk and postpone these examinations until the situation is conducive again. It is our duty to ensure a safe environment for all our students."
Now with the directive of @EduMinOfIndia to conduct NEET, JEE 2020 in Sep, I would again appeal to the Centre to assess the risk and postpone these examinations until the situation is conducive again. It is our duty to ensure a safe environment for all our students. (2/2)
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) August 24, 2020
Disappointing thousands of students across the country, Amit Khare, the secretary of HRD Ministry, last Friday said the entrance examinations cannot be deferred.
#ResignNishankPokhriyal trends on Twitter after Centre goes ahead with NEET, JEE exams
Khare cited the Supreme Court order which had given a nod to hold the two examinations.
Several pleas were filed in the Supreme Court seeking a postponement of the entrance examinations.
The top court has, however, rejected all petitions stating examinations can't be deferred indefinitely.
JEE-Main is scheduled to be held from Sept 1 to 6, while NEET will take place on 13th of the same month.
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