India joins anti-doping convention; To set up agency, lab

New Delhi, Aug 2 (UNI) In a decisive move to put an end to the menace of doping in sports, India today decided to ratify an international convention within a month and set up an agency and a laboratory in six months.

Under a Cabinet decision, the ''process of operationalising NADA (National Anti-Doping Agency) and setting up of NDTL (National Dope Testing Laboratory) will be initiated and completed within a period of six months,'' Information and Broadcasting Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi told reporters.

The Cabinet gave its approval for acceptance and ratification of the International Convention against doping in Sport as adopted by the 33rd session of General Conference of UNESCO held in Paris on October 19, 2005.

''Keeping in view the menace of doping in sports, this decision will result in rising global concern about its ill-effects; and India's commitment to anti-doping expressed through acceptance of Copenhagen Declaration in 2004.'' It would be implemented within a month by depositing the instruments of ratification/acceptance with Director General, UNESCO. Thereafter, the process of operationalising NADA and setting up of NDTL will be initiated and completed within a period of six months.

The ''follow-up action'' would be completed in six months.

UNI