[SEBI-ASBA] Lets Learn the Concept

Credits to Mr. CS Pradeep for this wonderful presentation

 

LET’S LEARN

 

ASBA – APPLICATIONS SUPPORTED BY BLOCK AMOUNT

 

What is ASBA?

 

SEBI has laid down detailed guidelines for a new application process for public issues. The new scheme named ASBA - Applications Supported by Blocked Amount is being introduced to cut down complaint-prone refund process in IPOs.

 

Is it compulsory?

 

The process is available as an alternate mode of application in all public issues made through the book building route. The scheme begun as a supplementary process and shall co-exist with the current process, wherein cheque is used as a mode of payment.  Click here to know the Detailed Guidelines.

 

How does it work?

 

Ø     The bank will block the money corresponding to the value of shares applied for in the bank account of the applicant itself. During the allotment period, the money does not leave the account of the investor, but since it is blocked he can’t use it for any other purpose.

 

Ø     If and when the shares get allotted, the money will be transferred to the issuer. In case the bid is rejected then, the money will be released immediately.

 

Ø     To keep it simple to begin with, SEBI has said that only those investors who are bidding at “cut off” [the final decided price] can opt for this scheme. Only one option is accepted for the number of shares bid for. It also says investors cannot revise their bid, though they can withdraw their bid in the period.

 

Ø     However, investor can’t go to any bank of his choice and ask for the service, yet. The Regulator said banks willing to offer this facility to apply for the same.

 

Ø     “A bank desirous of offering ASBA facility shall submit a certificate to SEBI, as per the specified format, for inclusion of its name in SEBI’s list of Self Certified Syndicate Banks (SCSB).

 

Ø     The IPO applications through this process can be accepted only by SCSBs, whose names appear in the list of SCSBs displayed in SEBI’s website, the SEBI order said. The investor will have the option of applying either through physical application forms or through electronic forms. 

 

Ø     SEBI has also notified other intermediaries like the merchant bankers, registrars to the issue and stock exchanges to make adequate changes in their systems to ensure that the applications that come through the new channel are treated on par with those from conventional channel.

 

What are the advantages of ASBA?

 

This will do away with immense paperwork involved and loss of money and peace of mind of investors. Consequently, there should be less investor complaints.

 

Click here to read the Detailed Guidelines.

SEBI DIP Guidelines Current & Earlier Provision as on 28th Aug 2008- An Overview

Credits to Mr. CS Pradeep & Mr. R. Anand

Rights Issue

N	Particulars	Earlier Provision	Current Provision
1	Advertisement	An advertisement giving the date of completion of despatch of letters of offer, shall be released in Newspapers ATLEAST 7 days BEFORE date of opening of issue	7 days reduced to 3 days
2	Issue of Shares / Refunds	Details of Issue of Allotment letters/Refunds to be made WITHIN a period of 7 weeks and Interest in case of delay in refund at the prescribed rate under section 73(2)/(2A)	7 weeks reduced to 15 days
3	Non-receipt of Minimum subscription	If the Company does NOT receive the Minimum Subscription of 90% of the issue, the entire subscription shall be REFUNDED to the applicants WITHIN 42 days from the date of closure of the issue.	42 days reduced to 15 days
4	Issue Period	Rights issues shall be kept OPEN for ATLEAST 30 days and not more than 60 days	Rights issues shall be kept OPEN for ATLEAST 15 days and not more than 30 days
5	Book-closure period	Minimum Notice period was 15 days (demat shares with no derivative trading), 21 days (physical shares with no derivative trading) and 30 days (with derivative trading)	The minimum notice period has been made as 7 working days for ALL categories (only for Rights issue)
6	Notice to Stock Exchange	Company has to give PRIOR intimation to the Exchange about the Board Meeting at which proposal for Rights issue or issue of Convertible Debentures or of Debentures carrying a right to subscribe to Equity shares or the passing over of dividend is due to be considered at least 7 days in advance.	7 days reduced to 2 working days (only for Rights issue)

 

QIB / QIP related (Chapter XIIIA)
1. Erstwhile "Qualified Institutional Buyers" [QIB]

Hereon "Qualified Institutional Buyers" [QIB], defined in the Definition Section itself of the SEBI (DIP) Guidelines, 2000,

1.2.1 (xxiva) The same Definition has been brought in, with an amendment in sub-clause (d) as to Foreign Institutional Investors (FII):
"a foreign institutional investor and sub-account registered with SEBI, OTHER THAN a sub-account which is a foreign corporate or foreign individual".

 

2. QIP Pricing guidelines amended - pricing to be 2 weeks average high and low OR more [Floor Price], of the closing prices of the related shares quoted on the stock exchange during the TWO WEEKS preceding the 'relevant date'.

 

3. Meaning of 'Relevant Date' amended -  means Date of Board or Committee meeting (previously it was Shareholders Meeting) decided to open the proposed issue.

 

4. Companies which have been listed during the preceding one year pursuant to approved scheme(s) of merger/ demerger/ arrangement they are now allowed to raise funds by QIP route. Such companies are said to have taken into account the listing history of the listed companies with which they have entered into the approved scheme(s) of merger/ demerger/ arrangement.

 

Preferential Allotment (Chapter XIII)
1. In case of preferential allotment to QIB, pricing to be at 2 weeks average for allotment to QIBs, provided that the number of QIB allottees in such preferential allotment does NOT exceed five.

2. Warrants and Shares BOTH will be subject to lock-in period of one year or three years from the date of allotment of such shares.
(No set-off of lock-in period allowed against the period during which Warrants where already locked-in)

 

Debt Securities

The SEBI (Issue and Listing of Debt Securities) Regulations, 2008 were notified on June 6, 2008 and are applicable to public issue of debt securities and listing of debt securities issued through public issue or on private placement basis on a recognised stock exchange. As per regulation 33(1) of these regulations, the
provisions of the SEBI (DIP) Guidelines, in so far as these relate to issue and listing of debt securities, shall stand rescinded on the commencement of these regulations. Consequential amendments have accordingly been made in the SEBI (DIP) Guidelines.

 

Others

1. Filing of offer documents at SEBI Regional Offices, the LIMIT has been increased from 20 Crores to 50 Crores.

 

2. Even, "Offer for sale" and INCLUSION in the "Promoters' Contribution" of those shares which have been acquired pursuant to a restructuring exercise approved by High Court(s), in lieu of business and invested capital which had been in existence for a period of MORE than one year prior to the restructuring exercise.

 

Effect

The amendments made vide this circular shall be applicable as under:
(a) Amendments to clause 1.2.1(xxiva) shall be applicable after the date of this circular to :
(i) all notices for general meeting sent to shareholders for approval of the issue, in case of preferential allotment and QIP; and
(ii) all prospectuses (in case of a fixed price issue) and Red Herring
Prospectuses (in case of a book built issue) filed with the Registrar of Companies or letters of offer filed with Designated Stock Exchange, as the case may be.
(b) Amendments to clauses 13.1.1.1, 13.1.1.2, 13.1.1.3, 13.3.1, 13A.1.1, clause 13A.3.1, and 13A.3.2.2 shall be applicable to all notices for general meeting sent to shareholders for approval of the preferential allotment or QIP, as the case may be; after the date of this circular.
(c) Amendments to clauses 4.6.2, 16.1.1 and 4.14.2(ii) shall be applicable to all draft offer documents filed with SEBI after the date of the circular;
(d) All amendments other than those specified in sub-paras (a) to (c) above shall come into force with immediate effect.

SEBI/CFD/DIL/DIP/32/2008/28/08 dated August 28, 2008

DOWNLOAD DIP Guidelines amended upto August 28, 2008

[SEBI-ASBA] Self Certified Syndicate Banks (SCSB) list

List of Self Certified Syndicate Banks under the ASBA process
ASBA - Applications Supported by Blocked Amount

1. As on date, there are 57 banks registered with SEBI as Bankers to an Issue
under the SEBI (Bankers to an Issue) Regulations, 1994. In terms of the SEBI Circular no. SEBI/CFD/DIL/ DIP/31/2008/ 30/7 dated July 30, 2008 on Applications Supported by Blocked Amount (ASBA), all these banks are eligible to act as Self Certified Syndicate Bank for the purpose of ASBA subject to their submitting a self certification to SEBI ,inter-alia certifying that they have undertaken the mock trial run of their systems with the Stock
Exchange(s) and Registrar(s) and have satisfied themselves that they have adequate systems/ infrastructure in place at their Controlling Branch/ Designated Branches to fulfill their responsibilities/ obligations as envisaged in the ASBA process within the timelines specified therein.

2. Once the banks submit this self certification, their names shall be included in
SEBI’s list of Self Certified Syndicate Banks (SCSBs) whereafter these SCSBs shall be eligible to accept ASBAs in public issues.

Find details here...

ESOS for Nominee Directors & amendment in Amortisation of Accounting Value for ESOS

Yes,

 

Now, Nominee Directors (Directors appointed by Financial Institutions, etc... as their Representatives in the Company) are now eligible for ESOS (Employees Stock Option Scheme).

 

Employees Stock Option Plan / Scheme [ESOP / ESOS] – an option to Whole-time Directors / Nominee Directors / Officers / Employees to purchase / subscribe securities @ a future date @ a pre-determined price.

 

Such Nominee Directors has to comply with following conditions:

1. The Contract / Agreement entered into between the Nominating Institution and the Director so appointed, specifically provides for acceptance of ESOS of the company by SUCH Director.

2. That options (ESOS), if granted to the Director, shall NOT be renounced in favour of the Nominating Institution.

3. A copy of SUCH Contract / Agreement thereof, is filed with the company for the purpose of Company filing to Stock Exchange.

4. Such Director has to furnish a copy of SUCH Contract / Agreement at a Board Meeting, held NEXT to such Appointment. 

 

The Amortisation Clause in the Accounting Policies of ESOS has been amended to SYNC in line with ICAI Guidance Note on "Employee Shared Based Payments".

'Guidance Note on Accounting for Employee Share-based payments' is revised to provide Companies/entities the option of related compensation cost to be recognised and accounted on a straightline basis over the total requisite service period for the entire award, provided that the amount of Compensation cost recognised at any date at least equaled the fair value of the vested portion of the award at that date.

Where the accounting value is accounted for as employee compensation in accordance with Clause (b), the amount shall be AMORTISED as under :

Clause (b) - The accounting value of options shall be equal to the aggregate, over all employee stock options granted during the accounting period, of the intrinsic value of the option or, if the company so chooses, the fair value of the option.

(i) Where the scheme does not provide for graded vesting, the amount shall be amortised on a straight-line basis over the vesting period.

(ii) Where the scheme provides for graded vesting -

(1) the vesting period shall be determined separately for each separate vesting portion of the option, as if the option was, in substance, multiple option and the amount of employee compensation cost shall be accounted for and amortised accordingly on a straight-line basis over the vesting period;

OR

(2) the amount of employee compensation cost shall be accounted for and amortised on a straight-line basis over the aggregate vesting period of the entire option (that is, over the vesting period of the last separately vesting portion of the option): Provided that the amount of employee compensation cost recognized at any date at least equals the fair value or the intrinsic value, as the case may be, of the vested portion of the option at that date."

Find the Amendments vide SEBI/CFD/DIL/ESOP/4/2008/04/08 dated August 4, 2008, which shall come into force WITH immediate effect.

Find amended SEBI (ESOS & ESPS) Guidelines, 1999

[SEBI-ASBA] now Block your Share Application money in your Account itself, till allotment

ASBA - Applications Supported by Blocked Amount

 

Yes, this is a way to subscribe for Shares through Book Building, which is in addition to the existing way of subscription.  It helps to block the application money in your very own Bank Account.  Your normal Bank Account itself will serve the purpose.  No special request to be given in this regard, provided your bank is an SCSB.

 

The banks with ASBA facility are called "Self Certified Syndicate Bank" (SCSB), the list of which is maintained by SEBI.  Check out whether your bank is there in the list from www.sebi.gov.in

 

Ask yourself, Are you a Retail Investor who is DIRECTLY bidding @ Cut Off in a Book Built issue and has no plans to change your Bid.  In Book Building, three type of Prices to be known,

1. Floor Price - the lowest price fixed in the issue;

2. Cap Price - the highest price fixed in the issue;

3. Cut Off Price - the Final Price, which is determined by the Company & Merchant Banker in consultation with Stock Exchange.

 

Do read the detailed Guidelines now.

 

as amended SCRA enables, SEBI (Public Offer and Listing of Securitised Debt Instruments) Regulations, 2008 from 26 may 2008

The amendment to Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956 (SCRA) enabled SEBI to provide for disclosure based regulation for public issue of or listing of securitized debt instruments on the recognized stock exchanges with  a view to develop market for securitized debt instruments. Accordingly, SEBI has notified SEBI (Public Offer and Listing of Securitised Debt Instruments) Regulations, 2008 on May 26, 2008 taking into account the market needs, cost of the transactions, competition policy, the professional expertise of credit rating agencies, disclosures and obligations of the parties involved in the transaction and the interest of investors in such instruments. Salient features of the regulations are as follows : -



(a)The special purpose distinct entity i.e. issuer shall be in the form of a trust, the trustees thereof will require registration from SEBI. The registration granted to a trustee shall be permanent subject to compliance with the provisions with the SCRR and the regulations and payment of appropriate fees.

(b) If a debenture trustee registered with SEBI or a securitization company or a asset reconstruction company registered with Reserve Bank of India or National Housing Bank or the NABARD is the trustee of the issuer no registration from SEBI to act as such shall be required.

(c)  The securitized debt instruments issued to public or listed on recognized stock exchange shall acknowledge the beneficial interest of the investors in underlying debt or receivables assigned to the issuer. The regulations provide flexibility in terms of pay through / pass through structures and do not restrict any particular mode.

(d) The assignment of assets to the issuer shall be a true sale. The debt or receivables assigned to the issuer should be expected to generate identifiable cash flows for the purpose of servicing the instrument and the originator should have valid enforceable interests in the assets and in cash flow of assets prior to securitization.

(e) The issuer shall be a bankruptcy remote from the originator. Originator shall be an independent entity from the issuer and its trustees and the originator and its associates shall not exercise any control over the issuer. However, the originator may be appointed as a servicer. The issuer may appoint any other person as servicer in respect of any its schemes to co-ordinate with the obligors, manage the said pool and collection therefrom, administer the cash flows of asset pool, distribution to investors and reinvestments. The issuer shall not acquire any debt or receivables from any originator who is part of the same group or which is under the same management as the trustee.  Regulations require strict segregation of assets of each scheme.

(f).  The issuer may offer securitised debt instruments to public for subscription through an offer document containing disclosures of all relevant material facts including financials of the issuer, originator, quality of the asset pool, disclosure of various kinds of risks, credit ratings including unaccepted ratings, arrangements made for credit enhancement, liquidity facilities availed, underwriting of the issue etc. apart from the routine disclosures relating to issue, offer period, application, etc.

(g)Rating from atleast two credit rating agencies is mandatory and all ratings including unaccepted ratings shall be disclosed in the offer documents. The rating rationale should include reference to the quality of the said pool and strengthen of cash flows, originator profile, payment structure, risks and concerns for investors, etc.

(h) The instrument shall be in dematerialized form.

(i)The draft offer document shall be filed with SEBI atleast 15 days before opening of the issue.

(j)   In case of public issuances listing will be mandatory. The instruments issued on private placement basis may also be listed subject to the compliance of simplified provisions of the regulations. The securitised debt instruments issued to the public or listed on a recognized stock exchange in accordance with these regulations shall be freely transferable.

(k). It has been proposed to introduce simplified and relaxed listing agreement. Listing of private placement is also permitted subject to the compliance of simplified provisions of the listing agreement and the regulations. The simplified listing agreement is under preparation.

Please find attached the full text of the SEBI (Public Offer and Listing of Securitised Debt Instruments) Regulations, 2008 <http://www.sebi.gov.in/acts/sdireg.pdf> .

Source: PR No.124/2008 dated 19th June 2008

Thanks & Regards

Alagar
Investment Banking
Karvy Investor Services Limited
Chennai
Moble: 919884731993/ 919790906827
 

SEBI simplifies (Issuance and Listing of Debt Securities) Regulations, 2008

SEBI (Issue & Listing of Debt Securities) Regulations, 2008

 

In order to facilitate development of a vibrant primary market for corporate bonds in India, Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has notified Regulations for Issue and Listing of Debt Securities to provide for simplified regulatory framework for issuance and listing of non-convertible debt securities (excluding bonds issued by Governments) issued by any company, public sector undertaking or statutory corporations.  The Regulations  will not apply to  issue and listing of, securitized debt instruments  and  security receipts for which separate regulatory regime is in place.

The Regulations provide for rationalized disclosure requirements for public issues and flexibility to issuers to structure their instruments and decide on the mode of offering, without diluting the areas of regulatory concern. In case of public issues, while the disclosures specified under Schedule II of the Companies Act, 1956 shall be made, the Regulations require additional disclosures about the issuer and the instrument such as nature of instruments, rating rationale, face value, issue size, etc.

While the requirement of filing of draft offer documents with SEBI for observations has been done away with, emphasis has been placed on due diligence, adequate disclosures, and credit rating as the cornerstones of transparency. Regulations prescribe certifications to be filed by merchant bankers in this regard. The Regulations emphasize on the role and obligations of the debenture trustees, execution of trust deed, creation of security and creation of debenture redemption reserve in terms of the Companies Act.

The Regulations enable electronic disclosures. The draft offer document needs to be filed with the designated stock exchange through a SEBI registered merchant banker who shall be responsible for due diligence exercise in the issue process and the draft offer document shall be  placed on the websites of the stock exchanges for a period of seven working days inviting comments. The documents shall be downloadable in PDF or HTML formats. The requirements for advertisements have also been simplified.

While listing of securities issued to the public is mandatory, the issuers may also list their debt securities issued on private placement basis subject to compliance of simplified regulatory requirements as provided in the Regulations. The Regulations provide an enabling framework for listing of debt securities issued on a private placement basis, even in cases where the equity of the issuer is not listed. NBFCs and PFIs are exempted from mandatory listing. However, they may list their privately placed debt securities subject to compliance with the simplified requirements and Listing Agreement. A rationalized listing agreement for debt securities is under preparation.

Please find attached the full text of the SEBI (Issue and Listing of Debt Securities) Regulations <http://www.sebi.gov.in/acts/debtregu.pdf> .

Source: PR No.123/2008 dated 19th June 2008
 

Thanks & Regards

Alagar
Investment Banking
Karvy Investor Services Limited
Chennai
Moble: 919884731993/ 919790906827
 

Changes in definition of QIB under SEBI DIP Guidelines

The SEBI vide its circular dated today, National Investment Fund (NIF), a fund set up by the Government of India vide Gazette Notification no. F. No. 2/3/2005-DD-II dated November, 23, 2005 , has been included in the definition of QIB, in the SEBI (DIP) Guidelines. NIF is a fund consisting of the proceeds from disinvestment of Central Public Sector Undertakings, which would invest in equity in accordance with broad investment guidelines provided by the Government of India.

SEBI has issued necessary instructions to all registered Merchant Bankers in this regard.
Accordingly the SEBI amended the definitionof QIB to insert NIF in definition part. you can access entire text of the ciruclar at http://groups.google.com/group/cschennai/files.

Erstwhile definition & Understanding:
2.2.2B(v) of SEBI (DIP) Guidelines, 2000 defines ''Qualified Institutional Buyer'' shall mean:
a. public financial institution as defined in section 4A of the Companies Act, 1956;
b. scheduled commercial banks;
c. mutual funds;
d. foreign institutional investor registered with SEBI;
e. multilateral and bilateral development financial institutions;
f. venture capital funds registered with SEBI.
g. foreign Venture capital investors registered with SEBI.
h. state Industrial Development Corporations.
i. insurance Companies registered with the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA).
j. provident Funds with minimum corpus of Rs. 25 crores
k. pension Funds with minimum corpus of Rs. 25 crores.

Yes....analysing the definition, it uses the word "SHALL" making the following meaning, a mandatory one and very strict. Then uses the word "MEANS", so its an Exhaustive Definition (NOT an Inclusive Definition); i.e., the scope of the term is limited to extent which is listed below. So, now because of this amendment, NIF = QIB. Keep Understandin....Vj

Thanks & Regards
Alagar
-- Karvy Investor Services Limited
G-1 Swathi Court22, Vijayaraghava Road
T.Nagar, Chennai - 600 017
Tel: 044-28151034/3445/3658
Moble: 919884731993
e-mail: alagar.muthu@karvy.com

FCEB made easy

FCEB made easy

What is FCEB?

Foreign Currency Exchangeable Bond is

• a Bond expressed in freely convertible Foreign Currency
• Interest and Principal of which is payable in foreign Currency
• Issued by an Indian company
• To overseas Investor who subscribes in foreign Currency
• Which on a later date can be converted into Equity shares of Offered Company

What are all the Eligibility conditions?

• Prior approval of RBI to be obtained

• Eligibility Conditions for the Offered Company
  • Offered company is a Listed company
  • Offered company is engaged in a sector eligible to receive FDI
  • Offered Company is eligible to issue FCCB or ECB
• Eligibility Conditions for the Issuer Company
  • The issuer shall form part of the Promoter Group of the offered Company
  • Issuer holding Equity Shares offered at the time of Issuance of FCEB
  • Issuer Company is not restrained by SEBI to access securities market
• Eligibility Conditions for the Subscriber
  • Entity not prohibited by SEBI from dealing in Securities
  • Subscriber comply with FDI Policy
  • Subscriber adhere to sector caps at the time of issuance of FCEB
  • Prior approval of FIPB obtained , wherever required

How the proceeds can be utilized?

• Can be invested in Promoter Group Companies
• Issuer company can invest in overseas by way of direct investment in Joint ventures or Wholly owned subsidiaries subject to FEMA Guidelines
• Promoter Group Company can utilize it according to the End Use Requirements applicable for ECBs
• Promoter Group Company shall not utilize the proceeds for investing in capital market or Real estate in India.
• Proceeds can be retained or deployed overseas in accordance with ECB policy

Conditions for Issuance?

v Rate of interest

• Rate of interest payable on FCEB and issue expenses incurred in foreign currency shall be within the ceiling prescribed by RBI for ECBs.

v Price

• The exchange price of the offered listed equity shares at the time of issuance of FCEB shall not be less than the higher of the -:

The average of the weekly high and low of the closing prices of the

related shares quoted on the stock exchange during the

(a) six months preceding the relevant date;

OR

(b) two weeks preceding the relevant date.

Relevant date-Date in which Board of Directors' passed the resolution authorizing the issuance of FCEB.

preceding the relevant date.

v Maturity

• Minimum maturity shall be 5 years for redemption

• Before that time holder can convert into shares of Offered company

• While exercising the option holder has to take delivery of shares and cash settlement is not allowed.

v Approvals Required

• Board Approval

• Shareholders approval, if applicable

• Offered company's Board approval

• Issuer company shall disclose the shareholding of the offered company to comply with respective provisions in SEBI Act, Rules, Regulations & Guidelines

v Other Conditions

• Issuer company shall not trade or mortgage or offer as collateral or trade offered securities till redemption or Exchange

• Issuer company keep the offered shares free from all encumbrances

Taxation Aspects?

• Interest till exercise subject to TDS

• Tax on dividend subject to Sec 115 AC of Income Tax Act

• Exchange of Bonds into Equity shares will not give raise to Capital Gains for computation of taxable income

• Transfer between Person Resident outside India to another Person Resident outside India will not give raise to Capital Gains tax in India.

Notified by Ministry of Finance, Dept. of Economic Affairs on Feb. 15, 2008 vide http://finmin.nic.in/the_ministry/dept_eco_affairs/capital_market_div/ExchangeableBonds.pdf

SEBI extends the number of centres where ECS refund is made

As of now,facility of refunds through ECS made available only in 15 centers where clearing houses are managed by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).This was in addition to other permissible modes of making refunds electronically viz NEFT, RTGS and Direct credit.

SEBI in consultation with RBI, it has now been decided to extend the facility of refund through ECS in public/rights issues to 68 centers as provided by RBI .

Read more at..
http://www.sebi.gov.in/Index.jsp?contentDisp=WhatsNewScroll&FilePath=/circulars/2008/cfdcir0108.html

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SEBI amends DIP Guidelines : Rating requirements for Corporate Bonds simplified

In order to reduce the cost of of issuance of debt securities and for developing the debt market by affording the issuer with the desired flexibility of structuring of Debt Issues, SEBI has amended provisions of DIP guidelines relating to Debt instruments. Now,rating of only one CRA is required and bonds below investment grade can also be issued..

read more at ...http://www.sebi.gov.in/Index.jsp?contentDisp=WhatsNewScroll&FilePath=/press/2007/2007312.html

Amendments in SEBI DIP Guidelines

Dear All,

The SEBI has made certain amendments in SEBI (Disclosure and Investor Protection) Guidelines, 2000 vide Circular No. SEBI/CFD/DIL/DIP/28/2007/29/11 dated 29 ^th November 2007 (Today). The gist of amendments is;

1. Introduction of Fast Track Issues (FTIs).

As per existing SEBI (DIP) Guidelines, if existing listed Company wants raise funds from the public either through rights issue or follow on public issue, it needs to comply with procedural formalities as in the case of Initial Public Offering (IPO). The SEBI has come out with Press Release relating FTIs, as it is felt that there is a need to enable well established and compliant listed companies to access Indian primary market in a time effective manner through follow-on public offerings and rights issues. Accordingly, it has been decided to enable listed companies satisfying certain specified requirements to make Fast Track Issues (FTIs).

The amendments made vide this circular to enable well established listed Companies to proceed with follow-on public offering / rights issue by filing a copy of the Red Herring Prospectus (in case of book built issue) / Prospectus (in case of fixed price issue) registered with the Registrar of Companies or the letter of offer filed with Designated Stock Exchange, as the case may be, with SEBI and stock exchanges. Such companies are not required to file draft offer document with SEBI and stock exchanges.

2. Amendments regarding Issue of Indian Depository receipts (IDRs).

As per existing provisions only QIP can apply in an IPO of IDRs. Now, vide this amendment it has been decided to allow all categories of investors to apply in IDR issues, subject to the condition that;

• at least 50% of the issue being subscribed by QIBs, and
• the balance being made available for subscription to other categories of investors at the discretion of the issuer, which shall be disclosed in the prospectus. Further, it has been decided to reduce the minimum application value in IDR from Rs. 2,00,000/- to Rs. 20,000/- and to carry out certain consequential amendments to SEBI (DIP) Guidelines pursuant to amendments to IDR rules by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.

3. Quoting of PAN mandatory:

Presently, as per SEBI (DIP) Guidelines, all applicants in public and rights issues are required to disclose their PAN/GIR in the application form if they are making an application for a value exceeding Rs. 50,000/-. It has been decided to extend the requirement of quoting PAN in application forms to all applicants, irrespective of the application value.

4. Discount in issue price for retail investors / retail shareholders:

Presently, SEBI (DIP) Guidelines do not provide for issuance of shares at differential price to investors within the net public offer category. SEBI has been receiving requests to permit issuance of shares to retail individual investors / retail individual shareholders at a price lower than that being offered to other categories. It has now been decided to introduce a provision in SEBI (DIP) Guidelines, permitting companies making public issues to issue securities to retail individual investors / retail individual shareholders at a discounted price, provided that such discount does not exceed 10% of the price at which securities are issued to other categories of public.

5. Definition of "Retail individual shareholder" for listed companies:

Presently, listed companies making public issues can make reservation on competitive basis for its existing shareholders who, as on the record date, are holding shares worth up to Rs. 50,000/-. However, no limit has been set on the value of the application that can be made by such shareholders. It has now been decided to define the term "Retail Individual Shareholder" to mean a shareholder whose shareholding is of value not exceeding Rs. 1,00,000/- as on the day immediately preceding the record date, and who makes application or bids in a public issue for value not exceeding Rs 1,00,000/-.

6. Clarification on the term CEO / CFO:

SEBI (DIP) Guidelines requires all directors, CEO and CFO of the issuer company to certify that disclosures made in the offer document are true and correct. It is now clarified that the terms "CEO" and "CFO" in SEBI (DIP) Guidelines shall have the same meaning as assigned to them in clause 49 of the Equity Listing Agreement.

7. Deletion of the chapter on "Guidelines for Issue of Capital by Designated Financial Institutions (DFIs)":

SEBI had introduced separate guidelines in 1992 for primary issuances by DFIs, to place companies / corporations / institutions engaged mainly in financing of developmental activities and playing a catalytic role in the infrastructure development of the country on a different footing. compete on equal footing with private entities and it is felt that DFIs, as a concept, may have outlived its utility. It has therefore been decided to remove the special dispensations given to DFIs by deleting the chapter on "Guidelines for Issue of Capital by DFIs" from SEBI (DIP) Guidelines.

8. Monitoring of issue proceeds:

Presently, as per SEBI (DIP) Guidelines, every issuer making an issue of more than Rs. 500 crores is required to appoint a monitoring agency, which is required to file a monitoring report with SEBI for record purpose. It has been decided that this provision shall not apply to (i) issues by banks and public financial institutions and (ii) offers for sale. Further, it has been decided that the

monitoring agency shall henceforth be required to file the monitoring report with the issuer company and not with SEBI, so as to enable the company to place the report before its Audit committee.

9. Amendments to Guidelines for Preferential Issues:

It has been decided that listed companies intending to make preferential allotment shall be required to obtain PAN of each of the applicants of the preferential issue before making the preferential allotment.

10. Miscellaneous amendments:

· SEBI issues standard observations as a supplement to issue-specific observations on each and every draft offer document filed with SEBI. These standard observations are being rationalised / reviewed. Accordingly, it has been decided to amend SEBI (DIP) Guidelines to incorporate certain clauses from the standard observations, essentially those pertaining to confirmations, undertakings, documents, information, etc., to be submitted by the Lead Manager/s to the Issue while filing an offer document with SEBI. Lead Managers shall also be required to file as an annexure to the due diligence certificate, a detailed check list indicating compliance of each of the clauses of the relevant chapters of SEBI (DIP) Guidelines.

· SEBI (DIP) Guidelines contain certain provisions, which have become redundant or need to be aligned with other provisions of SEBI (DIP) Guidelines / the Companies Act, 1956 or in respect of which, there have been requests for exemption on regular basis. Consequently, it has been decided to fine-tune the guidelines by modifying such clauses.

Thanks & Regards
Alagar
Karvy Investor Services Limited