Tamil Nadu CM writes to PM to reconsider single common entrance test

Tamil Nadu chief minister M Karunanidhi today appealed to prime minister Manmohan Singh to reconsider the Centre's decision on introducing a single Common Entrance Test (CET) for admission to medical courses.

Karunanidhi, in a letter to prime minister, argued that the move amounted to interfering with the rights of state governments.

He said there was confusion among students opting to study MBBS or post-graduation courses regarding single CET.

Since 69% reservation was earmarked by Tamil Nadu government to students of backward community, most backward community and those belonging to Adi Dravidar community, "the state will not be able to accept the single CET (as planned by the Centre) and instead it would only affect the welfare of such students," he said.

Karunanidhi said that after getting president's nod, the Government had in 2007-08 cancelled the CET for students taking up engineering and medical courses.

"Students, particularly from rural areas, highly benefited through this move," he said.

The Medical Council of India had said Union health ministry had approved its decision to introduce single Common Entrance Test for all medical courses. A decision to this effect was conveyed to the Supreme Court on Friday.