Twenty-four parents of the current batch of HSC students today held a meeting at Matunga to chart out their plan of action to bail out their children from what they termed `additional burden' of the Common Entrance Test (CET) for MBBS admissions.

``The 1998 batch of HSC candidates is particularly unlucky as they have not really enjoyed the summer holidays following the Board examinations,'' said one concerned parent, Dr Pradeep Kumbhat. He reasoned that in 1996 their children had to appear for a re-examination in Maths and Science on account of the widespread leakage of SSC papers.

It was decided that once they are able to gather at least 400 like-minded parents, then they will approach the vacation batch of the Supreme Court for reconsidering the case. ``Our children are being traumatised by the CET since it is scheduled to be held some time inJuly this year which hardly leaves them with any time to study,'' said another parent, Paras Khajanchi.For the latest CET, the state government has also included a paper on English, which further complicates the matter for vernacular students, they added.

All those interested in joining this group of parents may contact Dr Kumbhat on phone numbers 444 0333 or 445 8168.