India wants more information from Walmart over lobbying
New Delhi: A retired judge probing whether Walmart may have bribed Indian officials to gain easier market access said Wednesday he wants to ask the US supermarket giant more questions about its activities. Justice Mukul Mudgal, named by the government in January to investigate if the chain broke any Indian laws with its lobbying, also said his report might be delayed to June from its April deadline depending on the response.
Walmart said in a routine disclosure report to the US Senate last year that it spent Rs. 125 crore over four years on issues related to “enhanced market access for investment in India”. The report stirred a ruckus in India with opposition lawmakers, who oppose the chain’s entry saying it will hurt local “mom and pop” stores, demanding an inquiry into whether Walmart made any illegal payments as part of its lobbying.
Justice Mudgal, who questioned some store executives including its Asia chief executive Scott Price last month as part of his inquiry, met with government officials in New Delhi on Wednesday to review the matter….