Former minister S A Ramdas, on Wednesday, exhorted the State government to coach aspirants for the forthcoming national eligibility and entrance test (NEET).

Addressing media, Ramdas, who had previously served as minister for medical education, said, he had written letters to the government as well as PU education department to start a four-week coaching camp for the aspirants of medical and dental science courses, who will be henceforth trying their luck through NEET.

Ramdas reasoned, though NEET is favoured, following a recent order of the Supreme Court to bring uniformity in medical education, many students lack information on the system. “If coaching classes are conducted, it would help such students to develop confidence and face the test. The coaching should start at least from June 1 at all taluk and district headquarters,” he said.

Ramdas said, unlike 2015 when 2,862 students were admitted to MBBS through common entrance test (CET) against the available 7,355 seats in 47 colleges in the State, 6,319 seats will be on offer through NEET this time. It will ensure that 80 per cent of seats will be availed through merit.

Ramdas alleged that Advocate General Madhusudhan Naik was trying to mislead the government, by furnishing false information, to file an appeal before the apex court, questioning its earlier order.

Earlier too, Naik had lobbied on behalf of private educational institutions and had urged the government to reduce its quota of reserved seats in private institutions.The situation earlier was such, that medical and dental science aspirants had to appear for not less than 42 tests. Now, NEET has come as a ray of hope, said Ramdas.