In the wake of two NEET candidates ending their lives, AIADMK Co-coordinator Edappadi K Palaniswami, on December 26, demanded that the government commence coaching classes for the medical entrance test. Coaching should be provided till the state gets an exemption from the test, he added.

According to The Hindu, he said that the DMK had politicised the issue repeatedly. Palaniswami added that the party's assurances - before and after coming to power - that NEET would be cancelled was the reason behind the emotional distress among students. “I urge this government to explain the actual status of NEET to the students and provide special coaching classes until it is cancelled,” the former Chief Minister said.

He also demanded that financial assistance of Rs 25 lakh be given to the families of deceased students. Palaniswami appealed to the students against taking any extreme steps. “Medical education alone is not life. There are at least 40 medicine-related programmes. Students should not get emotionally distressed over scoring less in NEET,” he said.

READ ALSO : PMK's S Ramadoss asks Tamil Nadu gov't to provide clarity on NEET exemption Bill. This is why

Last week, two girls, one from Gudalur in the Nilgiris district and another from Peravurani in the Thanjavur district, were distressed over scoring low marks in NEET. They ended their lives as they were unable to pursue medical education, Palaniswami said.

Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available at State's health helpline 104 or Sneha’s suicide prevention helpline 044-24640050.