The Hindu Business Line : Probe into graft charges against Dow Chemical arm sought

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Hyderabad March 3 Following reports that Dow Chemical's subsidiary had allegedly bribed pesticide regulatory officials in India, civil society groups from across the country have urged the Centre to order an independent inquiry into the charges.

In a letter to Mr Sharad Pawar, Union Minister for Agriculture and Food, the groups demanded that the Government withdraw all the products permitted during 1996-2001, when the alleged bribery took place, immediately from the market.

"It is important to withdraw these products as their safety and efficacy data are in serious doubt now," the groups said.

The list of groups included the Bhartiya Kissan Union, Indian Coordination Committee of Farmers' Movements, Tamil Nadu Women Farmers' Association, Human Rights Forum (Andhra Pradesh), Deccan Development Society and Centre for Sustainable Agriculture.

Violation of provisions

The US' Securities and Exchange Commission found that Dow violated the books and records and internal controls provisions of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) in connection with an estimated $200,000 in improper payments made by a fifth-tier foreign subsidiary of Dow to Indian government officials from 1996 through 2001.

The groups called for immediate suspension of sale of all such pesticides that got sanctioned through inappropriate methods.

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Probe into graft charges against Dow Chemical arm sought