NEET, JEE 2020: Odisha To Provide Free Transport And Accommodation To Candidates Amid Covid 19 And Floods

Keeping in view of the rising cases of Covid 19 and the centre's move to compulsorily conduct the NEET 2020, and JEE 2020 entrance exams the Odisha govt has decided to provide free transport and lodging to students.

(File Pic : PTI)

JEE 2020 Exams: The Odisha Chief Secretary AK Tripathy on Friday announced that all candidates who are appearing for the JEE Main and NEET 2020 in the month of September, will be provided with free-of-cost transport and accommodation to reduce the difficulties amid coronavirus pandemic. Also Read|NEET, JEE 2020: Congress Holds Protest To Corner Govt Over Decision To Conduct Exams; Several Leaders Detained "Keeping in view the prevailing pandemic as well as flood situation in the state, the government will provide free transport and accommodation to candidates of the JEE," he told reporters. The chief secretary said that as many as 37,000 candidates are likely to appear in the examination in 26 centres spread across seven different towns including Bhubaneswar and Cuttack.

As per Odisha CM's direction, State Govt will provide free transport & accommodation to JEE & NEET exam candidates. Transport facilities from district headquarters to exam centre to be provided free of cost. Candidates requested to contact Nodal Officers: I&PR Department, Odisha pic.twitter.com/Z0w3lEKCQk

— ANI (@ANI) August 28, 2020

The JEE examination will be held between September 1 and 6, while the NEET-UG exam is slated to be held on September 13. "The district administrations, police, and regional transport officers are directed to facilitate the movement, transportation, and lodging of all the candidates and their guardian," he said. He urged JEE aspirants to share details with nodal ITI principals by August 31 so that necessary arrangements could be made for their transport and accommodation smoothly. Also Read|NEET, JEE Exams 2020: Six States File Review Petition In SC Against Its Order To Hold Exams The chief secretary said the government has decided to relax restrictions on the movement of the people imposed due to the pandemic situation. "The candidates can show their admit cards which will be treated as passes for their movement," he said. Congress leaders detained for protesting against govt's move to conduct NEET 2020, JEE 2020 exams Several Congress leaders and workers, including its president Anil Kumar, were detained by Delhi Police during a pan-India protest against central government's move to conduct the JEE 2020 and NEET 2020 exams amid the COVID-19 pandemic. As quoted in a PTI report, Kumar said that "the Centre and its education ministry are endangering the lives of 25 lakh students by being adamant on holding the JEE and NEET when the number of Coronavirus cases is going up in the country." Earlier, AICC general secretary KC Venugopal in a statement said that State units of the Congress will hold a pan-India protest on Friday August 28, at 11 am in front of central government offices at state and district headquarters to oppose the government's decision to hold the exams. Lakhs of students and parents from across the country are agitating and demanding postponement of the NEET 2020, JEE Main exams.