Panel probing Walmart lobbying to submit report in few days

A committee appointed by the government to look into US giant Walmart's lobbying activities to enter the Indian market is ready with its report and is likely to be submitted in a day or two.

The committee, headed by former Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court Mukul Mudgal, was set up by the government in the wake of major political uproar over the issue here last year which even led to stalling of Parliament.

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Sources said the report is expected to be submitted to the government either today or tomorrow. The conclusions of the panel could not be immediately ascertained.

The panel, which was set up in January this year, is looking into "whether Walmart undertook any activities in India in contravention of any Indian law", and any other matter relevant to this issue.

There was political uproar following reports about Walmart's lobbying among the US lawmakers since 2008 for facilitating its entry into the Indian market. The government in December 2012 had assured Parliament to get the matter probed by a retired judge.

As per US Congressional records of lobbying disclosure reports, the company spent a total amount of USD 6.13 million (about Rs 33 crore) on lobbying for various issues, including on "discussions related to FDI in India", during entire 2012.

The tenure of the committee, which was expected to present its report by April 30, was also extended. The panel, which met five times, had also interacted with Walmart representatives besides gathering responses from the public on the matter.

The Corporate Affairs Ministry is providing the administrative support to the committee.