-The Times of India The budget session of Parliament could again be stormy with NDA and Left parties coming together to oppose FDI in retail. BJP, CPI and JD(U) on Tuesday said the government may have got the bill passed in Lok Sabha but it should not feel victorious as they would not let it pass in Rajya Sabha. BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi even said that if NDA came to power, it...

-The Times of India The government's probe against Walmart over its lobbying-related disclosure is expected to include identification of alleged beneficiaries of the payments, a move that is aimed at blunting any opposition to foreign direct investment in multi-brand retail. Sources familiar with the development told TOI that the basic mandate given to the retired judge, who will investigate the issue is to ascertain if any portion of the lobbying expenses have...

-Reuters New York: WalMart Stores Inc’s Mexican affiliate routinely used bribes to open stores in desirable locations, according to a New York Times investigation published Monday, which cites 19 instances of the retail giant paying off local officials. The Times first reported in April that Walmart had intentionally stifled an internal probe into Bribery at its Mexican affiliate Walmex. Late last month, Mexico’s anti-corruption body said it found no irregularities in the...

-The Business Standard Why the hue and cry over Walmart? Many of India Inc's big ones are no strangers to lobbying in the US  There is a very fine line that separates lobbying from Bribery, and there are diverse opinions on what kind of influential pressure on lawmakers qualifies as acceptable, and what doesn't. Quite clearly, Bribery is illegal and unacceptable, there is nothing wrong in lobbying per se -- at least...

-The Hindustan Times With UPA 2 having carried the day on the motions disapproving foreign direct investment (FDI) in India’s multi-brand retail trade sector, the crescendo for a fresh round of GenNext reforms has reached a higher pitch. The editorial in this newspaper titled The slog overs have begun (Our Take, December 10) states, “Now that FDI in retail is through, the UPA must push ahead with other reforms.” The Congress-led coalitions...