New Delhi, July 11 (IANS) India's Sports Minister Ajay Maken said Monday that the government was planning to table a new law in the monsoon session of the Parliament to curb the doping menace.
Maken said the government has taken serious note of eight athletes flunking dope tests recently and wants all the sports federation to adhere to World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) norms.
"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 Maken on the sidelines of the World Population Day function at Vigyan Bhavan.
"We also want that the 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," he said.
When pointed out that Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) does not adhere to WADA norms, Maken 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."
Maken also said that he has asked the National Anti Doping Agency (NADA) to conduct frequent raids at all the Sports Authority of India (SAI) centres.
"Whatever it is, now we have asked NIS, SAI and NADA to be more vigilant. I have asked NADA to carry on 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," Maken said.
"Already, strict action has been taken against seven officials and Justice Mukul Mudgal has been appointed to carry out a thorough probe. Strict action would taken. We will spare no one," he said.