-Reuters The Indian joint venture of Wal-Mart Stores Inc has suspended its chief financial officer and other employees as it investigates alleged violations of US anti-bribery laws, a development that could hamper India's efforts to open its domestic supermarket sector to foreign investment. Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer, said last week it has opened internal inquiries or investigations into bribery allegations in Brazil, China and India, which follows an earlier probe in...

-Outlook The issue of FDI in retail is expected to generate a storm in the Winter Session of Parliament beginning next week, with the Left parties today announcing their decision to move motions entailing voting to oppose the government's proposal. At a time when BJP and several other parties have also opposed FDI in retail, the Left leaders said they have appealed to all parties to support the motions in both Houses...

-The Hindustan Times An uneasy combination of the BJP, the Left and the estranged UPA ally, the Trinamool Congress, is set to provide fireworks during the winter session of Parliament beginning next week. The issue: The government’s decision to allow foreign direct investment (FDI) in retail sector through an executive decision. At least 15 MPs belonging to the BJP-led NDA, Trinamool and Left parties had till late Wednesday evening served notices under...

-The Economic Times Retail sector liberalisation has been revived and included in Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's package of big-bang reforms announced recently. This was to be expected as an element of the package since the influential minister Jairam Ramesh, who has access to Sonia Gandhi and is identified with her NGO-dominated set of advisers whose knowledge of economics is outweighed by their enthusiasm, had already announced his conversion to retail sector...

-The Times of India The Supreme Court has said that the UPA govt did not follow the proper legal route while allowing 100% FDI in Retail Trade. The apex court gave the government time till November 5 to amend the FEMA policy decision as per the legal requirements. The attorney general informed the court that the RBI is pursuing the amendments and the process would be expedited. In September, the government introduced new laws...