Government seeks information in Walmart lobbying probe

NEW DELHI: In its probe into global retail giant Walmart's lobbying activities in the US for entry into India, the government on Wednesday asked the general public to provide it with all the important information available with them on the matter.

The government has appointed a one-man Inquiry Committee, headed by former Chief Justice of Punjab & Haryana High Court Justice Mukul Mudgal, to inquire into reports on the US lobbying activities of Walmart for access to India market. The committee has to submit its report within three months and it is being provided administrative and functional support by the ministry of corporate affairs in its probe.

"Now, the Government of India is inviting all members of the public to furnish information having a bearing on the Terms of Reference including document(s), if any, within a fortnight to the Convenor, Walmart Inquiry Committee," the corporate affairs ministry said in a statement.

Following reports about Walmart's lobbying activities among the US lawmakers since 2008 for facilitating its access to Indian market, the government late last year assured in Parliament to get the matter probed by a retired judge.