Sports ministry mulls new law on doping

Rattled by the doping scandal that has rocked Indian athletics, the Sports Ministry is planning to bring a new law to deal with the menace in the forthcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament.

"We are going to the Cabinet in this regard and wish to bring a specific law on doping in the Monsoon Session of Parliament," said Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Ajay Maken, on the sidelines of a workshop on population held at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi on Monday.

"We also want that WADA norms be applicable to all sports. In case the norms or international sports bodies are different from those of WADA, or are in conflict, then the norms of international sports bodies would be applicable."

When asked about the Board of Control for Cricket in India, which does not adhere to WADA norms on doping, the minister said, "I am not talking about any one sport. This will be made applicable to all sports.

"Mostly, the norms of various international sports bodies are in consonance with those of WADA. We expect that all such sports bodies adhere to WADA norms. But in case of a conflict, the norms of international bodies would apply."

On the action taken so far on doping within the country, the minister said, "Whatever it is, now we have asked NIS, SAI and NADA to be more vigilant. I have asked NADA to carry out more surprise checks, increase the frequency and change the dope officers and I am hopeful of positive results.

"We have already started conducting raids. Surprise checks were carried out on Saturday at NIS in Patiala and such raids are being conducted at Bangalore today. Such raids will be carried out more frequently and wherever dope material is found entering the premises, strict action will be taken. Already, stringent action has been meted out to seven officials and Justice Mukul Mudgal has been appointed to carry out a thorough probe. We will spare no one."