NATIONAL ANTI-DOPING BILL

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The Lok Sabha has passed the National Anti-Doping Bill to strengthen India’s fight against doping in sports.
- Doping is the use of banned drugs by athletic to enhance their performance.

Background

A 2019 report by the World Anti-Doping Agency has placed India at 3rd among the nations with the most anti-doping rule violations.
- Only Russia and Italy were worse off.
Doping charges hurt India’s image and news of doping violations by Indian players in the Birmingham Commonwealth Games. Therefore it was felt to introduce a strong legal framework to curb doping in India.

Key Features of the Bill

The main objective of the bill is to strengthen the search, seizure and investigative powers of the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA).
The Bill suggested introducing reforms in the structure and functioning of NADA.
- NADA was established as a statutory body headed by a director general appointed by the Union Government.
The Bill suggested establishing a National Board for Anti-Doping in Sports to make recommendations to the government on anti-doping regulations and compliance with international commitments on anti-doping.
The bill is set to increase the power of NADA, according to the provisions of the bill NADA will be authorized to plan, implement and monitor anti-doping activities and investigate violations.
As per the provisions of the Bill, “any violation of anti-doping rule may result in disqualification of results including forfeiture of medals, points and prizes, ineligibility to participate in a competition or event for a period, and financial sanctions.”
Currently, NADA cannot conduct raids if it suspects or has evidence of any doping activity.
- Once the Bill becomes an Act, NADA will have the power to search and seize.
An independent Board will ensure time-bound resolution of cases.

Other Steps were taken to curb doping

The government is running anti-doping education awareness workshops and campaigns.
The government is collaborating with IIT, National Institute for Pharmaceutical Education and Research, CSIR, National Forensic Science University and all other scientific agencies in the country to curb doping in sports.