A strategy that was defeated thrice'

Chennai: TNN





When he suggested on Wednesday that TN could adopt rural quota for NEET, Union health minister J P Nadda was perhaps unaware that the state had suffered three legal defeats in this regard.

In 1968, the Supreme Court quashed a district-wise quota for MBBS admissions as unconstitutional. Since there were only eight government medical colleges in 1967-68, such a selection was introduced.

In 1971, when the state was divided into six zones and separate selection committees were formed and a candidate was asked to apply to only one committee nearest to his place of residence, the SC struck it down saying it violated right to equality.

The last attempt was made in 1996, when the government brought in rural quota without specifying casteregion. It was struck down by the Madras HC and confirmed by the SC.