PRESS NOTE
The news item captioned
"India, rest of Asia have not paid WADA dues" has appeared
in some sections of the media in which it has been indicated that
India alongwith other Asian countries has not paid its contribution
to WADA for the year 2003. It has also been indicated that India’s
reluctance to sign the Copenhagen Declaration on Anti-Doping in
Sport is indicative of its lack of commitment to fight the drug
menace.
This is to clarify
that India is a member of Foundation Board of WADA and is totally
committed to elimination of menace of drugs in sport. India’s
commitment to this cause has never wavered. As a member of the
Foundation Board of WADA, India has consistently fulfilled its
obligations towards this agency since it came into existence since
1999.
So far as the
payment of India’s contribution to WADA is concerned, India has
paid its dues for the year 2002 to WADA and this fact has been
accepted in the new item itself. As a matter of fact, the Govt.
of India has introduced a new scheme for Dope Test and under the
scheme, payment of contribution to WADA has been provided for.
This scheme was approved by the Government towards the end of
the financial year. The contribution for the year 2003 can only
be paid after the budget of the Ministry for the year 2003-2004
is passed by the Parliament and not before. Now since the budget
of 2003-2004 has been passed by the Parliament, the contribution
for 2003 will be paid by India during this financial year only.
It is incorrect
and misleading to state that there is any reluctance on the part
of the Govt. of India to sign the Copenhagen Declaration on Anti-Doping
in Sport. India attended the meeting of the IICGADS on 2nd
March, 2003 at Copenhagen and the World Conference on Doping in
Sport at Copenhagen from 3rd to 5th March,
2003. In the World Conference on Doping in Sport, the Indian official
delegation had indicated that the matter of signing the Copenhagen
Declaration on Anti-Doping in Sport is receiving appropriate attention
in Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports , Govt. of India and
is being processed on a fast track for obtaining approval at the
competent level in the Government. It has to be understood that
for signing an international declaration, the Ministry has to
seek the approval of the Cabinet after consulting all concerned
Ministries. Accordingly, the Cabinet approval is being sought
for signing the Copenhagen Declaration on Anti-Doping in Sport.
As soon as the Cabinet approval is received the Copenhagen Declaration
on Anti-Doping in Sport will be signed by India. Therefore, there
is absolutely no justification to infer that the Government of
India in any way lacks commitment to fight the menace of doping
in sport.
