Walmart's business in India is once again under scrutiny, following a disclosure by the company that revealed it spent US$25m on lobbying for 'enhanced market access for investment in India', reports the BBC.
'The government will appoint a retired judge to hold a time-bound inquiry into the media reports regarding Walmart,' said parliamentary affairs minister Kamal Nath.
Several opposition MPs have alleged that the Indian government had been 'bribed' by Walmart.
The retailer has denied the allegations, saying that its lobbying expenses were made to consultants in US and the disclosures were in accordance with US laws.
'The allegation that a routine US lobbying disclosure form reflects improper conduct on our part in India, is false,' Walmart said in a statement.
'This disclosure has nothing to do with political or governmental contacts with Indian government officials.'
The government recently opened the retail sector to foreign competition - a decision which has proved highly divisive.
Opposition MPs believe that the decision will put domestic companies out of business, while government and business leaders argue that it will help boost an economy that is beginning to slow and revolutionise the way Indian consumers shop.
