Govt offers debate on NEET leak as Opposition keeps up pressure
Amid the Opposition offensive over the NEET-UG paper leak issue, the Union Government on Wednesday said it was willing to hold a detailed discussion in the Parliament on the matter while making it clear that street protests won’t yield any results. The Government offered an elaborate discussion on the issue and accused the Opposition of not allowing a debate by disrupting proceedings.
In the Lok Sabha, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Kiren Rijiju said the Government is willing to hold a discussion on the NEET paper leak but left it to Lok Sabha Speaker, Om Birla to arrive at a consensus on the rule under which it will be held, its date and duration. Birla said he has heard the views of all parties as the Government was willing to hold a discussion with an open mind.
Rijiju said Birla should convene an all-party meeting of floor leaders to finalise the rules under which it will be held, its date and duration. Birla underlined that time will not be a constraint and he will allow all members to speak as much as they want, once they give a notice according to procedures.
Most Congress and SP members wore black to the House on Wednesday to protest the NEET paper leak and police crackdown on protesters at Jantar Mantar and other areas on Monday. Due to disruptions leading to multiple adjournments third day in a row, the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha was adjourned to meet on Thursday.
As Birla asked Rijiju to make a statement, Congress leader KC Venugopal intervened to assert that the Opposition is also seeking the resignation of Union education minister, Dharmendra Pradhan. “Our demand is simple. When the entire nation is feeling the pain of our students, all other business of the House should be set aside and this burning issue should be the top priority for Parliament,” Venugopal said.
SP chief Akhilesh Yadav expressed anguish that while the BJP and the Congress members spoke, he was not allowed to participate. He said if the interests of youth and students are hurt, the Opposition is bound to protest on the streets also.
The opposition has been demanding a discussion on the NEET paper leak issue and is also seeking the resignation of Pradhan over the handling of the controversy over the alleged examination irregularities.
Similar scenes were witnessed in the Rajya Sabha, which saw repeated adjournments after the government accused the opposition led by the Congress of bringing in new conditions to not allow a discussion on the NEET paper leak issue.
Leader of the House JP Nadda slammed the opposition parties, saying, “The INDI Alliance has indulged in irresponsible behaviour; they are destroying the dignity of Parliament.” No business has been conducted in the two Houses since the beginning of the Monsoon session on Monday.
