Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said today that the Central Government is ready for a full discussion on the NEET examination in Parliament and accuses the Opposition, especially the Congress, of repeatedly disrupting proceedings despite being willing to talk about it.
Announcing the results to the media on the weekend, Sitharaman said the alleged NEET paper leak was a serious offence affecting students across the country and that the government acted quickly against those responsible.
VIDEO | Delhi: On the Opposition's demands, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman says, “This is an issue concerning the students of our country. The government has taken action against those who were actually involved in the crime, those who leaked the question papers and… pic.twitter.com/OaKtNWWyRW
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She said that the individuals who leaked the examination papers and those who illegally obtained them have been arrested. And the Finance Minister stated that the government has decided to create fast-track courts to ensure that those involved are given speedy trials and harsh punishment.
Sitharaman said, “Justice for students is still one of the top priorities of the government.
This is an issue for the students of our country. The government has taken action against those who were actually involved in the crime. Justice should be delivered as quickly as possible, and the government is working with complete commitment and dedication to achieve that," she said.
The Finance Minister also discussed the government response after the paper leak was revealed. She said that the authorities conducted the re-examination at the earliest possible moment, declared the results promptly, and ensured that students’ academic schedules were not unnecessarily disrupted.
Sitharaman said the government had always expressed its readiness to discuss the issue in Parliament. She said the Chair and the Speaker had also shown their willingness to hold a discussion, but that the Opposition continued to interrupt proceedings.
"If there is to be a discussion, and I agree that there should be one, it should take place in Parliament. The government is ready for that and has repeatedly assured the Opposition that it will debate the issue," she added.
The Minister also claimed that every time one of the Opposition's demands was met, new conditions were introduced to prevent Parliament from functioning normally.
Sitharaman also criticized the Congress and said it was focusing on political confrontation rather than on meaningful discussions on issues affecting students.
"It appears that the Congress is determined to continue its politics of disruption. Even though the government said it was prepared to debate the matter, and the Chair and the Speaker agreed to hold a discussion, the Opposition continued to disrupt the House," she said.
She argued that the government could make the case and explain the decisions taken to address the issue and explain its actions in a parliamentary debate.
The comments were made in the midst of the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament, where the NEET examination problem has been a major source of friction between the Treasury benches and the Opposition. Both sides have publicly supported talking about it, but parliamentary procedures have repeatedly delayed it.
As the situation remains at an impasse, whether any consensus could be reached to have a full debate about the NEET in both Houses of Parliament and students and stakeholders would be watching the situation closely.
