Holding the National Testing Agency (NTA) responsible for the NEET UG 2024 result controversy, the Congress on Thursday demanded a CBI or a Supreme Court-monitored probe into the matter.
On social media X, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge posted, “Grace marks was not the only problem in NEET exam. There has been rigging, papers have been leaked, corruption has taken place.”
He alleged that there was a nexus between the exam and coaching centres where ‘pay money, get paper’ was being practiced.
“There should be a CBI investigation into the entire NEET scam. If the Modi government is not ready for a CBI inquiry, then the Congress party demands a fair inquiry under the supervision of the Supreme Court,” Kharge said.
Meanwhile, addressing a press conference at the AICC headquarters here, party leader Gaurav Gogoi said, “You are asking the same agency, NTA, under whose leadership this entire scam took place, to investigate the matter. In such a situation, how can one expect a fair investigation?
“There should be a CBI inquiry into this matter for playing with the future of 24 lakh children of the country. If the government was not ready for a CBI inquiry then a Supreme Court-monitored probe should be conducted into the matter”.
Alleging that the government was running away from the issue, Gogoi said, “It is the duty of the Opposition to raise the issues of the country and we will loudly raise the voice of our 24 lakh students inside the house.”
He said that the government needs to introspect on its attitude towards the allegations of rigging in NEET results. The National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test is an ultra-competitive entrance exam for undergraduate medical courses – conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA).
Gogoi accused the government of playing with the future of lakhs of students and said that even the Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan was running away from discussions.
Gogoi also alleged that there was a nexus between the examination centres and coaching centres that have destabilised the middle and poor class students.
Scores of students have been protesting in Delhi and several petitions have been filed in as many as seven high courts and also the Supreme Court since NEET-UG 2024 results were declared on June 4. Not only did 1,563 students get the much contested grace marks for time constrain, but also it led to 67 toppers all amassing 720 total marks in the May 5 conducted exam.
As entry to creme de la creme medical colleges will depend on ranks, students who scored on their merit and not grace marks are at loss as they allege grace marks have aided many to join the top rank this time.
The top medical institution All India Institute of Medical Sciences has 66 seats in undergraduate level.
