Pradhan Meets Speaker as Govt Agrees to NEET Debate in Lok Sabha

NEW DELHI, July 22: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Wednesday met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla after the Government agreed to hold a detailed discussion on the alleged NEET paper leak issue in the Lok Sabha. According to officials, the meeting took place in Parliament shortly after the Government informed the House that it was ready for a debate on the controversy surrounding the examination. The Government also urged Speaker Birla to convene a meeting of floor leaders of all political parties to decide the rule, date and duration of the discussion. When the Lok Sabha reassembled after an earlier adjournment, Speaker Birla invited Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju to make a statement. However, Congress leader K.C. Venugopal reiterated the Opposition’s demand for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the handling of the alleged examination irregularities. The Opposition has been pressing for a detailed discussion on the NEET paper leak issue and continues to seek Pradhan’s resignation, while the Government has expressed its willingness to debate the matter in Parliament.