Parliamentarians across party lines on Friday raised concerns over fixing of a timeline by the Supreme Court for conducting the common all-India medical entrance test.
The members opposed holding of the first phase of the test slated for May 1, saying it gives little time to students for preparation.
The issue was raised in the Lok Sabha during Zero Hour by at least three members from different political parties.
Raising the issue, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP from Dumariaganj Jagdambika Pal demanded that the examination should not be conducted in a phased manner as it will create trouble for the students.
"The test must be conducted on July 24 and all the students should be allowed to sit for it, so that equal opportunity is provided to all," Pal said.
He said that the two dates of the National Eligibility Entrance Test will give advantage to students taking the exam in the latter phase and the students who have to appear for it this Sunday would be under stress.
Congress member Rajeev Satav urged the government to move the Supreme Court and challenge the ruling.
"Yesterday's (Thursday) decision of Supreme Court will affect 80 percent students of Maharashtra and mostly rural students. Either this order should be implemented in 2018, or the test be conducted together on July 24. The government should consider moving the Supreme Court with a new petition," he said.
Shiv Sena member Arvind Sawant also demanded the test be conducted on one day.
He demanded that students must be permitted to appear for the examination in regional languages too.
"Students have very little time. The syllabus of CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Examination) and the state boards is different. So, the students preparing for medical examinations are worried. Their issues must be addressed by the government," Sawant said.
The demand was supported by other members too.
The Supreme Court on Thursday said students aspiring for admission to under-graduate medical courses will have to appear in the National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET), and it declined the pleas for exemption by Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
A bench of Justice Anil R. Dave, Justice Shiva Kirti Singh and Justice A.K. Goel gave its nod to two-phase conduct of the NEET by the CBSE on May 1 and July 24, with the declaration of results on August 17, and counselling and admissions later.
--IANS
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