Lok Sabha passes bill to create a statutory framework for Anti-doping watchdog

The Lok Sabha recently passed a Bill that seeks to create a statutory framework for the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA).

The National Anti-Doping Bill, 2021:

• The Bill provides for a statutory framework for the operation of National Anti-Doping Agency, the National Dope Testing Laboratory and other dope testing laboratories and creation of a National Board for Anti-Doping in sport for carrying out and regulating anti-doping activities in sports in the country.
• The Bill gives effect to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisaton (UNESCO) international convention against doping in sport.

Highlights of the Bill

• The Bill prohibits athletes, athlete support personnel, and other persons from engaging in doping in sport.
• Currently, anti-doping rules are implemented by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA), which was established as a society.
• The Bill provides for constituting NADA as a statutory body headed by a Director General appointed by the central government.
• Functions of the Agency include planning, implementing and monitoring anti-doping activities, and investigating anti-doping rule violations.
• The National Board for Anti-Doping in Sports will be established to make recommendations to the government on anti-doping regulations and compliance with international commitments on anti-doping.
• The Board will oversee the activities of NADA and issue directions to it.
• The Board will constitute a National Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel for determining consequences of anti-doping rule violations.
• Further, the Board will constitute a National Anti-Doping Appeal Panel to hear appeals against decisions of the Disciplinary Panel.