Punjab Cong leaders to submit memo for postponing JEE, NEET

Punjab Congress chief Sunil Jakhar has urged all district leaders to submit a memorandum addressed to the Governor to their respective Deputy Commissioners tomorrow, in order to send a message to the Centre to reconsider its decision of holding JEE and NEET amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

New Delhi: Amidst the JEE and NEET exam controversy, Punjab Congress chief Sunil Jakhar has urged the party's district leaders to submit a memorandum at their respective Deputy Commissioner's office on Friday, seeking that the decision to conduct these exams during the pandemic be reconsidered.

Over 20 lakh students are to appear for medical and engineering entrance exams this year, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been demands to postpone the exams.

"We care about our children and their future. In such a situation we need to support them. Their lives are precious. I urge all district leaders of Punjab Congress to submit a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner. Due to COVID-19, only three persons should go to office of DC. This memorandum will be addressed to honourable Governor of Punjab and will send our message to the respected Prime Minister to reconsider this decision," Jakhar said.

Earlier yesterday, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh directed State Advocate General Atul Nanda to coordinate with his counterparts in other Opposition-ruled states for filing a collective review petition in the Supreme Court seeking deferment of the examinations.

Read:Amarinder Singh directs AG to file review petition in SC on NEET/JEE exams

The directive followed a meeting convened by Congress President Sonia Gandhi with the chief ministers of seven Opposition-ruled states to discuss this and other issues of common concern, including delay in GST compensation release, the farm ordinances by the Centre, as well as the New Education Policy, which Singh said was thrust on the states without consultation.

There was no time to seek time from the Prime Minister to discuss the issue, said Singh in response to a suggestion to this effect.

"Let us all get together to move the Supreme Court for postponement of the exams, which are threatening the lives of lakhs of students," he said.

Pointing out that world over, exams were being held online, he suggested that the JEE/NEET and other professional exams like Medical and Law could also be held online and there was no need to put the students at risk.

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