Amid NEET debate, TN CM Stalin calls for moving education to State List

In the speech, the Chief Minister expressed his grief over a number of deaths by suicide in Tamil Nadu, which took place allegedly due to NEET-related stress. He urged President Droupadi Murmu to immediately give her assent to a state Bill that seeks to exempt Tamil Nadu from the ambit of the centralised medical entrance exam.

“All subjects directly connected to the people should be shifted to the State List… Particularly, the subject of education should be shifted to the states. Only if this is done can cruel exams like NEET be abolished,” Stalin said.

The call for decentralising education reflects the broader view of Tamil Nadu political stalwarts like former chief ministers C N Annadurai and M Karunanidhi that states in India should have more autonomy.

Stalin’s speech focused on education, employment, and welfare initiatives, and it also reiterated the DMK government’s promise to work towards the upliftment and empowerment of the people of Tamil Nadu.

He also announced that 55,000 vacancies in various government departments would be filled in the current financial year.

Other key announcements include the establishment of the Kalaignar Centenary Park on Cathedral Road in Chennai at a cost of Rs 25 crore, a separate welfare board for those who work for aggregator companies like Ola, Uber, Swiggy, and Zomato, and a scheme to provide training to 10,000 ex-servicemen at a cost of Rs 7 crore. Freedom fighters and their families will also witness a hike in their monthly pension from Rs 10,000 to Rs 11,000.

Stalin paid homage to the state’s heroes, such as poet Subramania Bharati, and recalled the support offered by former CMs Annadurai and Karunanidhi towards the central government during critical times such as the 1971 conflict with Pakistan.

In a ceremony following his address, Stalin presented the Thagaisal Thamizhar award to K Veeramani, veteran leader of the Dravidar Kazhagam. Dr W B Vasantha Kandasamy received the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Award, while N Muthamilselvi from Chengalpattu district received the Kalpana Chawla award for courage and daring enterprise.