CM defies common medical entrance test

M. Karunanidhi, the CM of Tamil Nadu, opposed the proposal of holding an all-India level common entrance test for MBBS and MD seats as it would affect the implementation the 69 per cent reservation quota in the state.

In a letter to the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Union health and family welfare minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, he urged them to reconsider the decision to conduct  common entrance considering the welfare of Tamil Nadu students. “The Centre in an affidavit filed in the Supreme Court declared the decision to this effect,†he said.

Point out that the Tamil Nadu government had enacted a law to do away with entrance examination in interest of rural students, Mr Karunanidhi said that the Centre’s decision would only create confusion. “The decision would mainly affect schedule castes and schedule tribes, most backward and backward communities,†Mr Karunanidhi added.