Question : DOPE TESTING FACILITIES

(a) whether the Indian dope testing facilities do not match the international standards;

(b) if so, the extent to which the Indian facilities fall short of international standards;

(c) the details of international parameters for undertaking dope test;

(d) the present facilities available in the country;

(e) the efforts the Government has made so far to get international accreditation in the matter of dope test and the success achieved in this regard; and

(f) the additional facilities for dope testing proposed in view of the forthcoming Commonwealth Games in 2010 ?

THE MINISTER OF PANCHAYATI RAJ AND YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS (SHRI MANI SHANKAR AIYAR)

(a) & (b): The Dope Testing Laboratory at Delhi has achieved ISO/IS 9001:2000 on the 12th December 2002 and ISO/IEC 17025:1999 on the 15th September 2003. The facilities at any laboratory of this kind need enhancement of skills/expertise of its human resources and upgradation of its equipment and methods from time to time. Accordingly, the Dope Testing Laboratory has recently been provided with the latest instruments such as the Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer (IRMS) and the Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometer (LC-MS). The method for testing samples has been standardized in accordance with international criteria.

(c) The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) issues guidelines for undertaking international standard testing. WADA also issues lists of prohibited substances every year. DCC incorporates the latest version of International Standards for testing on the basis of WADA guidelines.

(d) The Dope Testing Laboratory has all the required equipment and trained staff to undertake dope testing.

(e) The laboratory applied for permanent accreditation with WADA in 2004. The laboratory has been participating in proficiency testing for quality assurance and inter-laboratory comparisons of the World Association of Anti-Doping Scientists and the College of American Pathologists and has secured the Z score in WADA`s proficiency positions. The process of accreditation of the laboratory by WADA has been initiated.

(f) The additional facilities for dope testing during Commonwealth Games 2010 would depend upon WADA accreditation and the nature of requirements projected by the Organizing Committee and WADA. Government have every initiative of ensuring that these requirements are met.