The Hindu : Front Page : "Admissions on basis of CET this year"

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Saturday, Jul 09, 2005

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"Admissions on basis of CET this year"

Special Correspondent

"Government has little choice but to follow court order: Jayalalithaa"

CHENNAI: : Admissions to professional colleges this year will be on the basis of the Common Entrance Test, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa announced on Friday.

The earlier system, which was abolished by a recent Government Order, will be in place again.

Pointing out that the Government had, at the moment, "little choice but to follow the orders of the Supreme Court and the High Court," she said admissions for the academic year 2005-2006 will be based on the earlier system consisting of Plus-Two marks and improvement marks as allowed before, with marks obtained in the Common Entrance Test already held.

At the same time, Ms. Jayalalithaa promised, in a statement, that the Government would try to do away with the CET from the next academic year. Every effort would be made to modify the regulations of the Medical Council of India functioning under the Union Health Ministry and other such regulations that specify the requirement of CET for admission. Other alternatives too would be explored after consultation. "My intention is totally clear to see that rural students get their legitimate aspirations fulfilled. I shall not relent in achieving this goal," she said.

All political parties had demanded that the new system be introduced to help rural students. Insisting that the Government introduced the new system of admissions solely on the basis of Plus-Two examinations after considerable deliberation, she said it was widely welcomed by a majority of parents and students in Tamil Nadu as a much-needed reform. However, the High Court had struck down the GO, pointing to the legal impediments in its implementation. The Supreme Court, before which the Government filed a Special Leave Petition, did not grant a stay on the High Court order. But, the High Court, she said, had not objected to the basic policy set out by the Government in its order abolishing the CET.

Referring to the argument of some parties that the State could pass an Act by convening the Assembly or promulgate an Ordinance incorporating the scheme, she said the High Court had said that it was doubtful that such a law would have been valid, since it would be in violation of Article 14 of the Constitution.

The State's intention of rendering justice to the rural poor had to contend with a Central legislation and its regulations, which prescribe a different system not so oriented in favour of rural students.

"Instead of making statements here on framing a State law or an Ordinance, the leaders of the political parties of the Opposition in the State, who are in power in Delhi, can simply change the Central regulations which are standing as the real impediments in the implementation of the new policy announced by my Government abolishing the Common Entrance Test," she said.

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