Walmart probe committee asks for more details

The Walmart probe committee headed by Justice Mukul Mudgal may seek an extension of time to finalise its report. The committee is investigating if Walmart paid any bribes or violated laws to get entry into the Indian market CNBC-TV18's Malvika Jain reports.

Also read: India wants Walmart to reply on lobbying charges by April 9

The Justice Mukul Mudgal probe panel on Walmart met on Wednesday to discuss the recent submissions by Walmart executives including Asia CEO Scott Price and India head Raj Jain. Justice Mudgal told CNBC-TV 18 that the panel had sought further clarifications from the company.
Mukul Mudgal, head, Walmart Probe Panel says, " We discussed the reply given by Walmart and have decided to send some supplementary questions and after the supplementary questions are received we will formulate over report. and given the size of the task, the committee may well seek an extension.  If at all a little extension is sought it wont be beyond June."

Last year, Walmart had disclosed that since 2008 it had spent approximately Rs 125 crore on lobbying activities related to its India entry. Presently, Walmart is operating in India through a joint venture with Sunil Mittal's Bharti Enterprises.

In a statement to CNBC-TV18, Walmart had said, " Under US law, on a quarterly basis, all companies which meet certain time and expenses thresholds, are required to disclose issues and expenditures spent in connection with contacts with the United States government, including staffing cost, association dues, and payments to consultants. This is not unique to Walmart."

Whether Walmart has violated any Indian law or not will be known once Justice Mudgal submits his final report.