New Delhi, Oct 5 (IANS): The Supreme Court Friday sought the view of the top government law official -- either the attorney general or the solicitor general -- on a PIL challenging the recent government decision to permit FDI in the retail sector.

The apex court sought clarification from the attorney general or solicitor general while hearing a petition filed by a lawyer, M.L. Sharma, challenging the government notification on procedural grounds.

Sharma contended that the government notification was in violation of the existing Reserve Bank of India (RBI) guidelines which do not permit foreign direct investment in the retail sector and that the government could not overrule the RBI regulations by a notification.

Justice R.M. Lodha and Justice Anil R. Dave held that policy-making was the prerogative of the government, but sought the assistance of top government law officials to understand the issues raised in the petition against the opening of retail sector for foreign investment.