BJP demands probe into Walmart lobbying reports
The BJP on Monday demanded a fair probe into the allegations that Walmart paid for lobbying in the US to get access to Indian market. The party insisted that till this is done the retail giant should not be allowed to set up shops here. The party demanded that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh himself come clean on the issue.
“The cat is out of the bag and the proof is properly documented. Walmart has said in its lobbying disclosure report that it has been paying since 2008 for access for favourable market condition in India and `125 crore has been spent,” deputy leader of BJP in Rajya Sabha Ravi Shankar Prasad said.
Maintaining that “lobbying is nothing but a benign form of bribery,” the party demanded “fair investigation” into the issue. It also demanded that till the results of the probe come out, Walmart should not be allowed to set up shop in the country despite the “manipulative majority” managed by the government during the FDI in retail debate and voting.
The party wanted to know who in the dispensation was lobbying here for Walmart.
“If Walmart can disclose to the US Senate on lobbying money, then India should exert pressure on it to reveal the names of recipients here,” Mr Prasad said.
When pointed out that lobbying is not illegal in the US, senior BJP leader and former external affairs minister Yashwant Sinha said the laws of the two countries are different.
“Lobbying in the US does not mean corruption but in India, it does... ” he said.
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Bharti walmart denies money spent in India
New Delhi, Dec. 10: Bharti Walmart on Monday denied allegations that money was spent by the global retail giant in India to gain market access here.
“These allegations are entirely false. In accordance with US law, US companies are required to disclose the issues and expenditures associated with lobbying on a quarterly basis,” a Bharti Walmart spokesperson said in a statement about Walmart filing a lobbying disclosure report before the US Senate. The expenditures are a compilation of expenses associated with staff and contributions spent in the US, it added. “We had discussions with US government officials about a range of trade and investment issues that impact our businesses... ” it said. — PTI
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