Deprecated (16384): The ArrayAccess methods will be removed in 4.0.0.Use getParam(), getData() and getQuery() instead. - /home/brlfuser/public_html/src/Controller/ArtileDetailController.php, line: 150
 You can disable deprecation warnings by setting `Error.errorLevel` to `E_ALL & ~E_USER_DEPRECATED` in your config/app.php. [CORE/src/Core/functions.php, line 311]
Deprecated (16384): The ArrayAccess methods will be removed in 4.0.0.Use getParam(), getData() and getQuery() instead. - /home/brlfuser/public_html/src/Controller/ArtileDetailController.php, line: 151
 You can disable deprecation warnings by setting `Error.errorLevel` to `E_ALL & ~E_USER_DEPRECATED` in your config/app.php. [CORE/src/Core/functions.php, line 311]
Warning (512): Unable to emit headers. Headers sent in file=/home/brlfuser/public_html/vendor/cakephp/cakephp/src/Error/Debugger.php line=853 [CORE/src/Http/ResponseEmitter.php, line 48]
Warning (2): Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /home/brlfuser/public_html/vendor/cakephp/cakephp/src/Error/Debugger.php:853) [CORE/src/Http/ResponseEmitter.php, line 148]
Warning (2): Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /home/brlfuser/public_html/vendor/cakephp/cakephp/src/Error/Debugger.php:853) [CORE/src/Http/ResponseEmitter.php, line 181]
LATEST NEWS UPDATES | Wal-Mart gets clean chit in Fema case-Deeptiman Tiwary

Wal-Mart gets clean chit in Fema case-Deeptiman Tiwary

Share this article Share this article
published Published on Oct 18, 2013   modified Modified on Oct 18, 2013
-The Times of India


NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate has given a clean chit to Wal-Mart, the world's largest supermarket chain, in a case related to alleged violation of Foreign Exchange Management Act (Fema), a move that may pave the way for the US retailer to pursue its India investment plans more aggressively.

Earlier this week, ED wrote to the RBI, saying a case of violation could not be made out as the government has allowed FDI in multi-brand retail and also made provision for retrospective regularization of investments, sources familiar with the development told TOI.

At worst, the company can be penalized for not converting its debentures of $100 million (around Rs 450 crore based on 2010 exchange rates) into equity. This will attract a maximum penalty of Rs 50 crore, said sources. "Our investigation is complete and we have sent a report to the RBI. Unless the RBI feels some matter needs re-examination or some issue needs further investigation, it's a closed case for us," an ED official said, while confirming the development.

The ED investigation was launched after CPI's Rajya Sabha member M P Achuthan wrote to PM Manmohan Singh, accusing Walmart of violating rules when it invested $100 million in 2010 in a Bharti subsidiary, Cedar Support Services, which in turn allegedly diverted it to retail chain easyday. The issue was flagged as there was no policy of FDI in retail at that time. The RBI took up the matter and asked ED to investigate.

Earlier this month, Wal-Mart ended its partnership with the Bharti Group and will buy its Indian partner's stake in a wholesale cash-and-carry venture, which sells to hotels, restaurants and kirana stores. In addition, the debentures in Cedar Support Services, the company under investigation, will also be redeemed.

The market is discussing the possibility of Wal-Mart tying up with another Indian company, including Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries, for a multi-brand retail venture. Wal-Mart has not denied it. "We continue to review the guidelines and work with the government and interested stakeholders to create conditions that enable foreign direct investment in multi-brand retail," a company spokesperson had told TOI when asked to comment on the issue.

Government officials have maintained that a green light would not be possible till Wal-Mart is cleared of charges, including a separate probe related to lobbying related pay-offs. The one-man panel did not find any evidence of bribery.

 


The Times of India, 18 October, 2013, http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/Wal-Mart-gets-clean-chit-in-Fema-case/articleshow/24306520.cms


Related Articles

 

Write Comments

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*

Video Archives

Archives

share on Facebook
Twitter
RSS
Feedback
Read Later

Contact Form

Please enter security code
      Close