NEET-JEE exams: Odisha govt to provide free transportation, accommodation to students

Odisha state government on August 28 announced that it will provide free transportation and accommodation to students appearing for the JEE (Main) and NEET examinations. Odisha Chief Secretary Asit Tripathy on Friday informed that the government will provide free transportation and accommodation to underprivileged students appearing in the above-mentioned examinations.

The Odisha Chief Secretary assured that students and parents won't face any difficulty in commuting because of the COVID-19 lockdowns and local police have been alerted to look into it. Tripathy further added that students can apply for free transportation service by contacting nodal ITI principals of their area by August 31. 

Read: On NEET-JEE Row, 'Heavens Won't Fall If Exams Are Postponed' Says Shatrughan Sinha

This comes as students and parents from all over India are urging the central government to postpone the JEE (Main) and NEET exams scheduled for September 1-6 and September 13 respectively. The students and parents are citing the COVID-19 restrictions and other hurdles inflicted due to the pandemic.

Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal has, however, refused to postpone the exams saying the majority of students want them to happen. Pokhriyal said earlier that more than 70 percent of candidates appearing for these exams have already downloaded their admit cards. 

Read: 'Is It Fair To Expose Students To COVID-19?': Priyanka Vadra Slams Centre On NEET-JEE Row

SC on JEE, NEET 

Several state governments, including Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Chattisgarh, Maharashtra, Punjab have opposed the Central government's decision to conduct JEE and NEET examinations amid rising COVID-19 cases.

Ministers from these states had also moved to Supreme Court seeking a review in the Centre's decision to go on with the exams. The apex court on August 17 dismissed the petition seeking direction to National Testing Agency (NTA) to postpone the entrance exams, stating that there was “absolutely" no merit in the plea.

Read: Congress Follows Rahul Gandhi's Clarion Call; Leads Nationwide Protest Against NEET-JEE

Read: Six Ministers From 6 States File Review Plea In SC Seeking Postponement Of NEET-JEE