Allegations that Amazon’s legal representatives bribed officials in India are going to be investigated, the govt said today, stressing on a “zero-tolerance” policy towards corruption. The US e-commerce giant is additionally believed to possess launched a search into the allegation reported by a US website.
“As far because the government of India cares there’s intolerance towards corruption of ANY kind within the government,” officials said.
They said reports didn’t clarify “which era” the alleged act happened and during which state.
“Amazon has been spending quite ₹ 8,500 crore in legal fees. it’s time to think where all it is going. the entire system seems to figure on bribes which isn’t the simplest of business practices,” said officialdom , lashing out at Amazon and urging it to punish those breaking the law.
The officials cited the general public accounts of some Amazon companies, which showed nearly ₹ 8,500 crore in fee in two years.
According to a report by website The Morning Context, Amazon has launched an investigation against a number of its legal representatives after a whistleblower flagged allegations of bribing Indian officialdom . The company’s senior corporate counsel has reportedly been sent inactive .
The report said legal fees paid to an independent lawyer hired by the corporate was partially “funnelled into bribing government officials”.
Reports yesterday quoted Amazon as saying it takes allegations of improper actions seriously and investigates them fully to require appropriate action.
Without confirming or denying the allegations, Amazon said it’s “zero tolerance for corruption”.
“We have intolerance for corruption. We take allegations of improper actions seriously, investigate them fully, and take appropriate action. We aren’t commenting on specific allegations or the status of any investigation at this point ,” an Amazon spokesperson was quoted as saying by press agency PTI.
PTI quoted an unnamed person on the brink of the developments as saying that US-headquartered companies like Amazon take whistleblower complaints seriously, “especially those associated with payment of bribes to foreign officialdom so as to retain or obtain business”. this is often also to make sure compliance with corporate governance rules.
The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has written to Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal demanding a CBI inquiry into the allegations, saying it involves the credibility of the govt and is counter to the vision of removing corruption in the least levels within the govt .
The traders’ body has also demanded that the officials involved be named and punished.
CAIT said it might also approach the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairman Gary Gensler to demand a “fair and independent probe”.
CAIT National President BC Bhartia and Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal said it must be inquired whether the alleged bribery has “any reference to the continued investigation or related with continuous violation of the law and rules by Amazon”.
These steps, they said, were needed to guard the Indian e-commerce market and retail trade from “undue influence, abuse of dominance and connivance with government officials”, they added.
Amazon is already under the scrutiny of the Competition Commission of India over alleged anti-competitive practices, predatory pricing and preferential treatment of sellers.
Amazon is additionally legally fighting the longer term Group over its ₹ 24,713-crore affect its retail rival in India, Reliance Retail. Amazon is an investor in Future Coupons, which may be a shareholder in Future Retail.
