Due to the two-day lockdown this week, the Calcutta High Court has directed the government of West Bengal to make living arrangements for a NEET candidate from 11 to 14 September to make sure that she can reach the examination centre in Siliguri with enough time in hand.
The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) is due to be held on Sunday, 13 September, while the state government has announced a lockdown in West Bengal on 11 and 12 September to curb the spread of coronavirus.
Also Read: NEET 2020: West Bengal to Run Kolkata Metro Exclusively for Aspirants on September 13
Consequently, it would be impossible for the petitioner to travel from her house in North Dinajpur to Siliguri- a distance of 160 km- on the day of the examination.
There are standing instructions from the central government to states to not impose a lockdown without consultation, except in containment zones.
Justice Arindam Sinha, who was hearing the case, directed the state government to provide one room to the petitioner and one of her parents from Thursday to Monday in Siliguri, to give them time to reach the examination centre in advance.
Two other NEET-aspirants had approached the court, saying that the distance of the examination centres from their homes was a concern. In response, the hearing judge directed the state government to ensure that frequent bus services are available on the day of the examination to make sure that no candidate misses the examination.
Also Read: NEET 2020: NTA plans big for September 13, increases exam centres to 3,843 among others
Of the two petitioners, one said that he was COVID-19 positive, and the concerned authorities may prevent him from taking the examination. The court replied that the organizer of the examinations has issued an advisory about procedures to assist candidates. The same advisory provides for isolation rooms at the centres.
