The Government, on Monday, said that the one-man committee headed by former Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court Mukul Mudgal would submit its report on the alleged corruption charges against U.S. retail giant Walmart by next month.
Replying to a question in Rajya Sabha, Minister of Corporate Affairs Sachin Pilot said that the Government-appointed committee would submit its report by April. “Vide resolution dated January 31, 2013 a committee, under the Justice Mukul Mudgal former Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court has been constituted. The committee is to submit its report within three months from issuance of the resolution,” he added.
According to Mr. Pilot, the committee had been asked to inquire into the media reports regarding the lobbying activities of Walmart, as disclosed by the company before the U.S. Senate . It had also mandated a probe into whether Walmart undertook any activities in India in contravention of any Indian law and any other matter relevant or incidental to the case.
The Minister of State for Finance, S.S. Palanimanickam, in a separate exchange, said the Enforcement Directorate was probing alleged violation of foreign exchange regulations by certain firms engaged in multi-brand retail. “Directorate of Enforcement is taking appropriate action under Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (FEMA), in the matter of receipt of foreign direct investment (FDI) by companies engaged in multi-brand retail ,” he added.
