The International Weightlifting Federation announced a one-year ban on Indian weightlifters, effective till March 2007, preventing them from taking part in the Doha Asian Games in December.

The ban will come into effect from March 2006, when two Indian weightlifters -- Tejbir Singh and Edwin Raju � tested positive for the banned substance stanozanol during the Melbourne Commonwealth Games.

The IWF has also imposed a fine of US $50,000 on the Indian Weightlifting Federation.

Shailaja Pujari was another lifter to test positive for the same substance during the pre-event national camp at Patiala.

As per IWF rules, three positive cases in one calendar year invite ban for a country.

B Prameelavalli was the fourth lifter caught doping and she was pulled out of the Melbourne-bound squad at the last moment.

The IWF had announced the ban on its web site immediately after the Melbourne Games but were undecided on the duration of suspension to be slapped on the national body, which has

been caught in the doping net for the second time within seven months of coming out of a one-year suspension period after the Athens Olympics [Images] fiasco.

"The IWF conveyed us yesterday that our lifters will not be able to take part in any international events for one year -- till March 2007. The ban will be effective since the time of the Commonwealth Games, where our lifters tested positive," Indian Weightlifting Federation president H J Dora said.