Rijiju Assures Lok Sabha of Government’s Willingness to Discuss NEET Paper Leak Concerns
Government asks Speaker Om Birla to consult party leaders and decide the format, schedule and duration of discussion amid Opposition protests.
NEW DELHI, July 22: The Centre on Wednesday expressed its willingness to hold a discussion in the Lok Sabha on allegations surrounding the NEET paper leak controversy, while urging Speaker Om Birla to hold consultations with leaders of all political parties to finalise the framework for the debate.
The statement came after the House resumed proceedings following an earlier adjournment. Speaker Om Birla asked Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju to address the issue, following which the minister informed the House that the government was prepared for a discussion on the matter.
Rijiju said the decision regarding the rules, date and duration of the debate should be taken after discussions with floor leaders of all parties. He added that the Speaker would coordinate the process to ensure the discussion takes place in an appropriate manner.
The announcement came amid protests from Opposition members, who have been demanding a detailed discussion on alleged irregularities in the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET). Opposition parties have also been pressing for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, accusing the government of failing to properly handle the examination-related controversy.
Congress leader K C Venugopal raised the demand for the Education Minister’s resignation during the proceedings, arguing that accountability was necessary over the allegations linked to the medical entrance examination.
The NEET issue has remained a major point of confrontation between the government and Opposition parties, with repeated demands for a parliamentary debate over concerns raised by students, parents and political groups.
The government has maintained that it is committed to addressing concerns related to examination transparency and has taken steps to investigate reported irregularities. However, Opposition leaders have continued to demand further accountability and a comprehensive discussion inside Parliament.
With the Centre agreeing to discuss the matter, the focus now shifts to the Speaker’s consultations with different parties to determine when and how the debate will be conducted in the Lok Sabha.
