Arms act amended, shooters to have access to licensing norms

New Delhi: Aspiring shooters have got a shot in the arm as the government amended the arms and ammunition act for the first time since 1951, under which they will have "easy access" to licensing norms.

"A notification has come out yesterday and from now on, aspiring and junior shooters will have easy access to licensing norms," National Rifle Association of India president, Raninder Singh, said today. "If you compete in one state or district level championship, you will be entitled to have easy access to the licensing norms," he added. As per the new notification, aspiring and junior shooters will be entitled to 25000 cartridges, one rifle and one shotgun. Renowned shooters can get 15 guns and unlimited cartridges. Taking a potshot at his critics, Raninder talked about the work he has done since being appointed to the top job in 2010. "We have been given the award for the best sport federation in the country by FICCI, and it was given on the basis of transparency and professionalism," he said. "Since taking over in 2010, I have been working hard to make NRAI one of the best sports associations in the country," he added. Meanwhile, Raninder accused the Punjab government of putting pressure on the voters. "They are using the police to put pressure on the voters. Not long back we were in power when my father was the Chief Minister. It is very bad how the Akali Dal government is misusing the state machinery to garner votes (for the April 6 election)." The Akali Dal-backed Bikram Singh Majithia, a revenue minister in the Punjab government and brother-in-law of deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, was also eyeing the NRAI president`s post but failed to find a place in the electoral college. Raninder lauded the Central government for helping NRAI and the federation and the shooters. "We are thankful to the government for its help. They have hiked our budget to Rs 20 crore. Why should we go against the government (as far implementing the provisions of the sports code were concerned)?," he asked. PTI