New Delhi, Oct 13 - The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) Tuesday said that US firms accused of bribing Indian officials should be blacklisted and those who took money punished.

"The CPI-M demands that all US firms involved in giving bribes should be blacklisted forthwith and the persons who received the bribes should be identified and be given stringent punishment," it said in a statement.

The statement followed news reports that Indian officials had taken bribes from American companies to show them special favours and to award them major facilities and contracts.

"In case of Dow Chemicals, the matter is extremely serious since the bribes were taken by Indian officials to register and allow sale of pesticide banned in the US as they were harmful to children," it said.

"The US government imposed heavy penalty against the company for its criminal behaviour. Despite promise of enquiry by the CBI two years ago, the matter has not been brought to light so far."

"The CPI-M demands that the government should investigate and take firm action against the involvement of all other officials taking kickbacks from foreign companies for showing special favours to them against India's national interests," it said. (IANS)