Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik wrote a letter to Union Education Minister to postpone NEET and JEE (Mains) entrance examination.
In a letter addressed to Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, the Chief Minister has stated that the exams should be postponed due to the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic.
Over 50,000 students are appearing for NEET while 40,000 students are appearing for JEE (Mains) exam from Odisha this year. NTA has opened examination centres in only seven townships for the said examinations.
“In view of the prevailing COVID pandemic situation in the country, it would be highly unsafe and perilous for the students to visit the test centres physically to appear in these tests..,” the letter read.”
“It is requested that the ensuing JEE (Main) and NEET examination scheduled to be held in the first fortnight of September 2020 may be postponed to a later date to ensure the safety and security of the students.”
Naveen Patnaik, Odisha CM
Patnaik also stated that the lockdown/shutdown imposed by the concerned districts has disrupted the local transportation, adding to the trouble. Hence, the Centre should postpone JEE and NEET exams.
Naveen Patnaik also highlighted that Odisha has vast tribal inaccessible pockets, making travel difficult for the students of those areas.
In the letter, Patnaik also urged the NTA to establish examination centres in all the 30 districts of the state. He said the move will ensure maximum participation from the students.
Earlier, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had also requested Centre for postponing of NEET and JEE (Mains) examination.