Time-bound probe into ‘lobbying’ issue

Time-bound probe into ‘lobbying’ issue

The government on Wednesday announced a time-bound inquiry by a retired judge into reports of lobbying by retail giant Wal-Mart to gain entry into India. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath made the announcement in the Lok Sabha.

The reported lobbying by Wal-Mart stalled parliamentary proceedings in the past two days. Opposition parties demanded a time-bound probe by a joint parliamentary committee or a judicial panel to ascertain if bribe was paid.

Wal-Mart had, in disclosures before the U.S. Senate, said it had spent $125 million since 2008 for various lobbying activities, including for gaining access to Indian markets.

Keywords: Walmart lobbying issue, judicial probe, time-bound inquiry, Kamal Nath, Parliamentary Affairs Minister