'New law to be in force soon'

Sports Minister Jitendra Singh on Tuesday said they were committed to put in place a new legislation very soon to deal with the menace of fixing in sports and pushed for strong punishment for the guilty in the recent spot-fixing scandal.

Jitendra had a meeting with Law Minister Kapil Sibal to discuss the proposed legislation.
“I agree (with law ministry) that there should be a law. A strong punishment should be handed to people who were involved in the shameful act (spot-fixing in IPL). The Sports and Law ministries will bring a new law very soon,” Jitendra told reporters after the meeting with Sibal.

Asked what was the possibility of bringing in the new law before the next Parliament session Sibal said: “Attorney General will be consulted in the matter. We had a good meeting today. It is to be decided which ministry will pilot it, what should be the structure of it.”

Sibal also said that they will seek a political consensus. “Before it goes to Cabinet, we will try to get all political parties on board,” Sibal said.