Opposition parties Bharatiya Janata Party and CPI (M) demanded an independent probe on reports that US retail major Walmart spent about Rs 125 crore for lobbying activities in India. Taking up the issue in Parliament, the parties sought Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s response on Walmart’s revelation to the United States Senate.

The Congress, however, dismissed the demand and said it was up to the US Government to take action as no Indian Government authorities or policy-makers were named in the Walmart report. The Rajya Sabha witnessed uproarious scenes over the report. BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad and CPI (M) leader Sitaram Yechury said that only an independent probe by India would bring out the facts.

Details sought

The House was adjourned for the day, as disruptions continued in the afternoon. The discussions on the SC-ST reservation in promotions Bill could not be held because of the disturbance.

The Walmart lobbying report, filed with the US Senate, had said the company spent Rs 125 crore since 2008 for lobbying activities in India. Parliament had voted on the Centre’s decision to allow FDI in retail last week. The issue was mentioned in the Lok Sabha too.

Speaking on the Enforcement of Security Interest and Recovery of Debts Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2011, Trinamool Congress leader Saugata Roy wanted to know from the Government whether the retail giant has also spent money in lobbying with Indian law-makers. “If so, how much and what are the details?

Inquiry

“I do think the Lok Sabha should discuss this issue of Walmart trying to get into India through illegal means,” he said in the Lower House. Prasad wanted to know why the Prime Minister did not initiate an inquiry into the issue despite evidence to prove that Walmart had lobbied and bribed to gain entry into the Indian market.

“The disclosure in the US Senate that Walmart had spent Rs 125 crore on lobbying, including India, for creating a new market, is official confirmation that Walmart has done lobbying in India. Lobbying is banned in India,” Prasad said.

Supporting the argument, Yechury said Walmart itself was saying it had spent money in India.

“We are not saying who has taken money or not. There are cases of corruption in the court. So, the Government should inquire into it,” he said. Congress leader Jagadambika Pal said there were no indications in the Walmart report that Indian public servants were bribed. “Let the US Government conduct a probe,” he said.

>jigeesh.am@thehindu.co.in

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