Wal-Mart lobbying issue raises storm in Parliament

The issue of Wal-Mart making disclosures to the US Senate that it had spent USD 25 million over four years for various lobbying activities, including for gaining access to Indian markets, continued to rock Parliament which was disrupted for the second day today.

UPA's outside supporters RJD and Samajwadi Party, which had last week bailed out the ruling coalition in FDI in retail matter, were among those who demanded a thorough probe into reports that money was spent in India.

In a tactical move, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath sought to take the wind out of Opposition sails by announcing Government's intention to order a probe as BJP sought suspension of the Question Hour in both houses by raking up the issue.

"We have learnt from press reports of the reported disclosure by Wal-Mart under US laws on amounts spent by them on lobbying in various countries, including India.

"The government views this with utmost concern and has no hesitation in ordering an enquiry on this in as much as it concerns payments made in India," the Minister said in the Rajya Sabha.

"We too have learnt about the disclosures by Wal-Mart. The government views this with concern and have no hesitation in having an inquiry. We want to get to the facts of the matter.

"Government is not running away on this concern. We are open for a discussion. This is not a matter of concern for the Opposition, it is also a matter of concern for the government. It is for all of us. We are open for a probe," he said.

While Government has been maintaining that Wal-Mart's disclosures related to payments in US for lobbying which is legal there, today's decision could be related to earlier disclosures by the US giant that it was inquiring into payments made in some countries including India that violated American laws. (More)