Friday, July 8 2005 12:46 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Government today (July 8, 2005) announced restoration of the earlier system based on Common Entrance System for admissions to professional courses in the state for 2005-06.

Chief Minister Jayalalithaa in a statement here said the government had, now, little choice but to follow the orders of the Madras High Court and the Supreme Court with regard to the admissions.

While the state Government had last month scrapped the common entrance test citing 'discrimination of rural students'; the high court struck down the order.

When the government challenged the high court order, the apex court declined to stay the same and posted the matter for hearing after vacation.

Jayalalithaa said "Therefore, admissions for the academic year 2005-06 will be based on the earlier system consisting of Plus Two marks along with improvement marks as allowed before, together with marks obtained in the Common Entrance Test (CET) already held."

On the view that the state could pass an act or have an ordinance promulgated, she said the high court had raised doubts whether even such measure would have been a valid law since it would still be in violation of Art.14 of the Constitution (equality of opportunity).

Stating that the state's intention of rendering 'justice' to the rural poor had to contend with a central legislation and its regulations, Jayalalithaa sought amendments to the regulations, particularly that of the Medical Council of India, under the Union Health Ministry, framed under an Act of Parliament.

"Thus instead of making statements here on framing a state Law or an Ordinance, the leaders of the opposition parties in the state, who are in power in Delhi, can simply change the Central regulations which are standing as the real impediments against the implementation of the policy announced by my government abolishing the CET," she said.

However, she said every effort would be made to get the regulations of MCI and other such regulations for professional courses, which specify the requirement of a CET modified. Other alternatives will also be explored after due consultations with all concerned so that a solution can be worked out which can be implemented from the next academic year.

"I shall not relent in achieving this goal. The people of Tamil Nadu can feel assured that my government will spare no effort in ensuring that from the next academic year a suitable system which supports rural students is implemented."