Who is responsible for messing up the Eamcet in Telangana, be its postponement or question paper leak?
Whatever be the reasons, obstacles began for Eamcet just a few days before May 2 when it was supposed to be held. With the managements of private colleges, which were named centres for the test, refusing to cooperate with the Government in holding the exam, the Government announced that it was being postponed to May 15.
“Cannot the Government rein in private colleges lobby and make it fall in line considering future of students?” asks V. Santosh of Parkal in Warangal. His daughter appeared for Eamcet. He feels that the Government could have moved the High Court to check arm-twisting tactics of private colleges.
Interestingly, the A.P. Government announced April 29 as their Eamcet date and conducted it without any hassles.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court was hearing petitions over NEET and ruled on April 28 that NEET was compulsory for all States.
Along with other States, Telangana got impleaded in the case seeking review of the decision.
The apex court gave its final verdict on May 9 declaring that NEET was a must. But all was not over by then. Some State Governments were exploring the possibilities of seeking exemption.
Exemption
“As different States were holding discussions with the Centre over securing exemption, the Telangana Government could have deferred the exam by a few more days to assess the consequences,” another parent, Venkateshwara Rao of Begumpet, feels. For some inexplicable reason, the Telangana officials didn’t do so.
The students were already confused whether they have to write Eamcet or NEET for medical college admission with conflicting reports coming in. Suddenly, just two to three days before May 15, Telangana Medical and Health Minister Laxma Reddy announced that the Eamcet to be held on May 15 was meant for courses other than medical and dental.
That meant a second Eamcet would be held for admission into medical colleges. Accordingly, the exam was held on May 15 even as the consultations with the Centre over the apex court decision on making NEET compulsory were on.
Considering objections raised by some States on different grounds, the Centre convened a meeting on May 16. Eight days later, the Centre issued an order giving exemption to States from NEET for one year. July 9 was fixed as the second Eamcet date.
Criminal case
That is how Telangana students appeared for Eamcet for second time and four days later, the results were announced. While students heaved a sigh of relief, the reports of question paper leakage floated prompting the Government to initiate probe by the CID first and registration of a criminal case later.
While CID sleuths are scouring for the persons behind the question paper leak, questions remain of who actually messed up the Eamcet from the beginning.
