Blackwell for Amway

Guess what US Senators/Congressmen and Ambassadors do after they quit active service? They join lobbying firms that liaise between the powers-that-be and powerful interests. Robert Blackwell, former US Ambassador to India, now heads the lobbying firm, Barbour Griffith & Rogers. Early this month, the former envoy wrote to Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, requesting him to appoint a high-powered committee to look into the Amway issue. Amway India is a subsidiary of US-based Amway Corporation, the well-known direct selling company. Following a complaint, the State CID had raided the offices of Amway in several cities of AP and seized documents. A case was registered against them for violating the provisions of the Chit Funds and Prize Money Act. Amway contested this in the High Court and the matter is awaiting disposal. Last heard, YSR is still to respond to Blackwell's request.