Securities And Exchange Board Of
India (Depositories And Participants) Regulations, 2018
[03 October 2018]
No. SEBI/LAD-NRO/GN/2018/40.- In
exercise of the powers conferred by section 30 of the Securities and Exchange
Board of India Act, 1992 (15 of 1992) read with section 25 of the Depositories
Act, 1996 (22 of 1996), the Securities and Exchange Board of India hereby makes
the following regulations, namely:
CHAPTER 1 PRELIMINARY
Regulation - 1. Short title and commencement :-
(1) These
regulations may be called the Securities and Exchange Board of India
(Depositories and Participants) Regulations, 2018.
(2) They shall
come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.
Regulation - 2. Definitions :-
(1) In these
regulations, unless the context otherwise requires, the terms used in these
regulations shall bear the meanings assigned to them below, and their cognate
expressions shall be construed accordingly,-
(a) "Act"
means the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992 (15 of 1992);
(b) "applicant"
means any person or persons who, acting alone or in combination with another
person proposes to establish a depository under these regulations and holds
fifteen percent shareholding of the depository;
(c) "associate"
shall have the same meaning as assigned to it under clause (b) of subregulation
(1) of regulation 2 of the Securities Contracts (Regulation) (Stock Exchanges
and Clearing Corporations) Regulations, 2018 or any amendments thereof;
(d) "Board"
means the Securities and Exchange Board of India established under section 3 of
the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992 (15 of 1992);
(e) "change
in control" -
(i) in case of
a body corporate -
(A) if its
shares are listed on any recognised stock exchange, shall be construed with
reference to the definition of control in terms of regulations framed under
clause (h) of sub-section (2) of section 11 of the Act;
(B) in any
other case, shall be construed as change in the controlling interest in the
body corporate;
Explanation: For the purpose of para
(B) of this sub-clause, the expression "controlling interest" means
an interest, whether direct or indirect, to the extent of at least fifty-one
percent of voting rights in the body corporate;
(ii) in a case
other than that of a body corporate, shall be construed as any change in its
legal formation or ownership.
(f) "control"
shall have the same meaning as assigned to it under clause (e) of
sub-regulation (1) of regulation 2 of the Securities and Exchange Board of
India (Substantial Acquisition of Shares and Takeovers) Regulations, 2011 or
any amendments thereof;
(g) "Depositories
Act" means the Depositories Act, 1996 (22 of 1996);
(h) "form"
means any of the forms specified in the First Schedule;
(i) "governing
board" means the board of directors of a depository;
(j) "inspecting
officer" means any person authorised by the Board under regulation 84;
(k) "key
management personnel" would include a person serving as head of any
department, or in such senior executive position that stands higher in
hierarchy to the head(s) of the department(s) in the depository, or any person
who directly reports to chief executive officer or to the director of the
governing board of the depository, or any person upto two levels below the
chief executive officer or managing director, or any other person as may be
identified by its Nomination and Remuneration Committee
(l) "persons
acting in concert" in the context of acquisition or holding of shares or
voting rights or control shall mutatis mutandis have the same meaning as
assigned to it in clause (q) of sub-regulation (1) of regulation 2 of the
Securities and Exchange Board of India (Substantial Acquisition of Shares and
Takeovers) Regulations, 2011 or any amendments thereof;
(m) "public
interest director" means an independent director representing the
interests of investors in securities market and who is not having any
association, directly or indirectly, which in the opinion of the Board, is in
conflict with his role;
(n) "regulatory
department" means a department of a depository which is entrusted with
regulatory powers and duties and includes such department as may be specified
by the Board;"
(o) "Schedule"
means any of the Schedules annexed to these regulations;
(p) "shareholder
director" means a director who represents the interest of shareholders,
and elected or nominated by such shareholders who are not depository
participants, or their associates and agents;
(2) Words and
expressions used and not defined in these regulations but defined in the Act,
the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956, the Depositories Act, 1996,
the Companies Act, 2013 or any rules or regulations made thereunder shall have
the same meanings respectively assigned to them in those Acts, rules or
regulations made thereunder or any statutory modification or re-enactment
thereto, as the case may be.
CHAPTER 2
REGISTRATION OF DEPOSITORY
Regulation - 3. Application for grant of certificate of registration :-
(1) No person
shall establish a Depository unless he has obtained registration from the Board
in accordance with the Act, the Depositories Act, 1996 and these regulations.
(2) An
application for the grant of a certificate of registration as a depository
shall be made to the Board by an applicant in Form A of the First Schedule,
shall be accompanied by the fee specified in Part A of the Second Schedule and
be paid in the manner specified in Part B thereof.
(3) The
application shall be accompanied by draft bye-laws of the depository that is
proposed to be set-up.
Regulation - 4. Application to conform to the requirements :-
An application in Form A of the First
Schedule which is not complete in all respects and does not conform to the
instructions specified therein shall be rejected:
Provided that before rejecting any
such application, the applicant shall be given in writing an opportunity to
remove, within thirty days of the date of communication in this regard, the
objections indicated by the Board:
Provided further that the Board may,
on being satisfied that it is necessary to extend the period specified in the
first proviso, extend such period by such further time as it thinks necessary
in order to enable the applicant to remove the objections indicated by the
Board.
Regulation - 5. Furnishing of information, clarification and personal representation :-
(1) The Board
may require the applicant to furnish such further information or clarification
regarding matters relevant to the activity of the depository for the purpose of
consideration of the application.
(2) The
applicant or his authorised representative shall, if so required, appear before
the Board for personal representation, in connection with the grant of
certificate of registration.
Regulation - 6. Consideration of application for grant of certificate of registration :-
(1) The Board
shall not consider an application under regulation 3, unless the applicant
belongs to the category of shareholders eligible to hold upto 15% share capital
of the depository in terms of sub-regulation (1) and (2) of regulation 21.
(2) The Board
shall not consider an application under regulation 3, unless the applicant is a
fit and proper person as described in sub-regulation 2 of regulation 23.
Regulation - 7. Grant of certificate of registration :-
After considering the application
under regulation 3, with reference to the qualifications specified in
regulation 6, if the Board is satisfied that the company established by the
applicant is eligible to act as depository, it may grant a certificate of
registration in Form B of the First Schedule to the depository subject to the
following, namely :-
(a) the
depository shall pay the registration fee specified in Part A of the Second
Schedule in the manner specified in Part B thereof, within fifteen days of
receipt of intimation from the Board;
(b) the
depository shall comply with the provisions of the Act, the Depositories Act,
the byelaws, agreements and these regulations ;
(c) the
depository shall not carry on any activity whether involving deployment of
funds or otherwise without prior approval of the Board:
Provided that prior approval of the
Board shall not be required in case of treasury investments if such investments
are as per the investment policy approved by the governing board of depository.
Provided further that a depository may
carry out such activity not incidental to its activities as a depository,
whether involving deployment of funds or otherwise, as may be assigned to the
depository by the Central Government or by a regulator in the financial sector,
through the establishment of Strategic Business Unit(s) specific to each
activity with the prior approval of the Board and subject to such conditions as
may be prescribed by the Board, including transfer of such activity to a
separate company within such time as may be specified by the Board having
regard to the matters which are relevant to the efficient and orderly function
of the Depository as mentioned in regulation 14.
Explanation: For the purposes of this
clause, a Strategic Business Unit shall be an organizational unit of a company
with its own mission, objectives and business strategy that is given the
responsibility to serve the particular demands of one business area with
appropriate technological, financial and other segregations.
(d) the
shareholding of the applicant in the depository shall be locked-in for a period
of five years from the date of grant of registration by the Board.
(e) the
depository complies with the shareholding and governance structure requirements
specified in these regulations;
(f) if any
information previously submitted by the depository or the applicant to the
Board is found to be false or misleading in any material particular, or if
there is any change in such information, the depository shall forthwith inform
the Board in writing;
(g) the
depository shall redress the grievances of the participants and the beneficial
owners within thirty days of the date of receipt of any complaint from a
participant or a beneficial owner and keep the Board informed about the number
and the nature of redressals;
(h) the
depository shall make an application for commencement of business under
regulation 11 within one year from the date of grant of certificate of
registration under this regulation; and
(i) the
depository shall amend its bye-laws from time to time as may be directed by the
Board;
(j) any other
condition as the Board may deem fit in the interest of securities market.
Regulation - 8. Payment of annual fee :-
A depository who has been granted a
certificate of registration under regulation 7, shall pay annual fee specified
in Part A of the Second Schedule in the manner specified in Part B thereof.
Regulation - 9. Payment of annual charge :-
A depository shall pay to the Board, a
percentage of the annual custody charges collected by it from the issuers as
specified in Part A of Second Schedule in the manner specified in Part B
thereof.
Regulation - 10. Procedure where certificate of registration is not granted :-
(1) Where an
application for the grant of certificate of registration under regulation 3
does not satisfy the requirements specified in regulation 7, the Board shall
reject the application after giving the applicant an opportunity of being
heard.
(2) The
decision of the Board to reject the application shall be communicated to the
applicant in writing within thirty days of such decision, stating therein the
grounds on which the application has been rejected.
CHAPTER 3 CERTIFICATE
OF COMMENCEMENT OF BUSINESS
Regulation - 11. Application for grant of certificate of commencement of business :-
A depository which has been granted a
certificate of registration under regulation 7, shall within one year from the
date of issue of such certificate make an application to the Board for
commencement of business in Form C of the First Schedule.
Regulation - 12. Application to conform to the requirements :-
Any application in Form C of the First
Schedule which is not complete in all respects and does not conform to
instructions specified therein shall be rejected:
Provided that before rejecting any
such application, the applicant shall be given in writing an opportunity to
remove within thirty days of the date of communication in this regard, the
objections indicated by the Board:
Provided further that the Board may,
on being satisfied that it is necessary to extend the period specified in the
first proviso, extend such period by such further time as it thinks necessary
in order to enable the applicant to remove the objections indicated by the
Board.
Regulation - 13. Furnishing of information, clarification and personal representation :-
(1) The Board
may require the depository to furnish such further information or clarification
regarding matters relevant for the grant of certificate of commencement of
business.
(2) The
depository or its authorised representative, if so required, shall appear
before the Board for personal representation in connection with the grant of
certificate of commencement of business.
Regulation - 14. Consideration of application for grant of certificate of commencement of business :-
(1) The Board
shall take into account for considering grant of certificate of commencement of
business, all matters which are relevant to the efficient and orderly
functioning of the depository and in particular, the following, namely,
whether-
(a) the
depository has a net worth of not less than rupees one hundred crores;
(b) the
bye-laws of the depository have been approved by the Board;
(c) the
automatic data processing systems of the depository have been protected against
unauthorised access, alteration, destruction, disclosure or dissemination of
records and data;
(d) the
network through which continuous electronic means of communications are
established between the depository, participants, issuers and issuers agents is
secure against unauthorised entry or access;
(e) the
depository has established standard transmission and encryption formats for
electronic communications of data between the depository, participants, issuers
and issuers agents;
(f) the
physical or electronic access to the premises, facilities, automatic data
processing systems, data storage sites and facilities including back up sites
and facilities and to the electronic data communication network connecting the
depository, participants, issuers and issuers agents is controlled, monitored
and recorded;
(g) the
depository has a detailed operations manual explaining all aspects of its
functioning, including the interface and method of transmission of information
between the depository, issuers, issuers agents, participants and beneficial
owners;
(h) the
depository has established adequate procedures and facilities to ensure that
its records are protected against loss or destruction and arrangements have
been made for maintaining back up facilities at a location different from that
of the depository;
(i) the
depository has made adequate arrangements including insurance for indemnifying
the beneficial owners for any loss that may be caused to such beneficial owners
by the wrongful act, negligence or default of the depository or its
participants or of any employee of the depository or participant; and
(j) the grant
of certificate of commencement of business is in the interest of investors in
the securities market.
(2) The Board
shall, before granting a certificate of commencement of business under this
Chapter make a physical verification of the infrastructure facilities and
systems established by the depository.
Regulation - 15. Networth certificate :-
(1) Every
depository shall maintain networth as specified under regulation 14 (1) (a) at
all times and submit an audited networth certificate from the statutory auditor
on a yearly basis, by the thirtieth day of September of every year for the
preceding financial year.
Explanation: For the purposes of this
regulation, networth of a depository means the aggregate value of paid up
equity share capital and free reserves (excluding statutory funds, benefit
funds and reserves created out of revaluation) reduced by the investments in
businesses, whether related or unrelated, aggregate value of accumulated losses
and deferred expenditure not written off, including miscellaneous expenses not
written off.
(2) Every
depository shall within one month of the date of the holding of its annual
general meeting, furnish to the Board a copy of its audited balance-sheet and
profit and loss account for the preceding financial year.
Regulation - 16. Grant of certificate of commencement of business :-
After considering the application
under regulation 14 with reference to the matters specified in sub-regulation
(1) of regulation 14 and making physical verification under sub-regulation (2)
of that regulation, if the Board is satisfied that the depository is eligible
to commence business as a depository, shall grant a certificate of commencement
of business in Form D of the First Schedule.
Regulation - 17. Depository to abide by the Code of Conduct :-
The depository holding a certificate
of commencement of business shall, at all times, abide by the Code of Conduct
as specified in the Part D of the Third Schedule.
Regulation - 18. Procedure where certificate of commencement of business is not granted :-
(1) If the
Board, after considering the matters specified in sub-regulation (1) of
regulation 14 and making physical verification under sub-regulation (2) of that
regulation, is of the opinion that the depository shall not be granted a
certificate of commencement of business, it may either-
(a) direct the
depository to conform to the matters specified in regulation 14; or
(b) reject the
application after giving the applicant an opportunity of being heard.
(2) The
decision of the Board to reject the application shall be communicated to the
depository in writing within thirty days of such decision, stating therein the
grounds on which the application has been rejected.
CHAPTER 4 OWNERSHIP
OF DEPOSITORY
Regulation - 19. Definitions :-
For the purposes of this Chapter:
(1) "banking
company" shall have the same meaning as assigned to it in clause (c) of
section 5 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 (10 of 1949);
(2) "insurance
company" shall have the same meaning as assigned to it in sub-section (8)
of section 2 of the Insurance Act, 1938 (4 of 1938);
(3) "person
resident in India" shall have the same meaning as assigned to it in clause
(v) of section 2 of the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (42 of 1999);
(4) "person
resident outside India" shall have the same meaning as assigned to it in
clause (w) of section 2 of the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (42 of
1999).
(5) "public
financial institution" shall have the same meaning as assigned to it in
sub-section (72) of section 2 of the Companies Act, 2013.
Regulation - 20. General Conditions :-
(1) Save as
otherwise provided in these regulations, the shareholding or voting rights of
any person in a depository shall not exceed the limits specified in these
regulations at any point of time.
(2) For
determining the shareholding of any person in a depository as specified in these
regulations, any instrument held, owned or controlled, directly or indirectly,
by a person that entitles him the voting rights or provides for entitlement to
voting rights or equity shares or any other rights over equity shares at any
future date, shall also be included:
Provided that any equity or rights
over equity, arising from such instruments in excess of limit of shareholding
specified in this Chapter on the date of commencement of these regulations,
shall be reduced to the specified limit within a period of five years or such
other period as may be specified by the Board from time to time, from the date
of such commencement.
Regulation - 21. Shareholding in a Depository :-
(1) No person
resident in India shall at any time, directly or indirectly, either
individually or together with persons acting in concert, acquire or hold more
than five percent of the paid up equity share capital in a Depository:
Provided that,-
(i) a stock
exchange;
(ii) a
depository;
(iii) a banking
company;
(iv) an
insurance company; and
(v) a public
financial institution, may acquire or hold, either directly or indirectly,
either individually or together with persons acting in concert, upto fifteen
percent of the paid up equity share capital of a Depository.
(2) No person
resident outside India, directly or indirectly, either individually or together
with persons acting in concert, shall acquire or hold more than five percent of
the paid up equity share capital in a Depository:
Provided further that,-
(i) a foreign
stock exchange;
(ii) a foreign
depository;
(iii) a foreign
banking company;
(iv) a foreign
insurance company;
(v) a foreign
commodity derivatives exchange; and
(vi) a
bilateral or multilateral financial institution approved by the Central
Government, may acquire or hold, either directly or indirectly, either individually
or together with persons acting in concert, upto fifteen percent of the paid up
equity share capital of a Depository.
Explanation: For the purposes of
proviso to sub-regulation (2), the persons referred to in clauses (i) to (vi)
shall mean persons recognised/ incorporated outside India.
(3) Subject to
the limits as otherwise prescribed by the Central Government from time to time,
the combined holding of all persons resident outside India in the paid up
equity share capital of a depository shall not exceed, at any time, forty-nine
percent of its total paid up equity share capital.
Regulation - 22. Eligibility for acquiring or holding shares in a depository :-
(1) No person
shall, directly or indirectly, acquire or hold equity shares or voting rights
of a depository unless he is a fit and proper person. The depository shall
ensure that all its shareholders are fit and proper persons:
Provided that such a requirement to
ensure that all its shareholders are fit and proper persons shall not be
applicable to a listed depository for shareholding of a person who directly or
indirectly, acquires or holds less than two percent equity shares or voting
rights of such listed depository.
(2) Any
person(s) who acquires equity shares or voting rights, in a depository,
directly or indirectly, either individually or together with persons acting in
concert, that entitles the person(s) so acquiring to exercise voting rights of
two percent upto five percent, shall seek approval of the Board within fifteen
days of such acquisition.
(3) Any person
eligible to acquire or hold more than five percent of the paid up equity share
capital under sub-regulation (1) and sub-regulation (2) of regulation 21 may
acquire or hold more than five percent of the paid up equity share capital of a
depository only if the person has obtained prior approval of the Board.
(4) The
application for seeking approval in terms of sub-regulation (2) or
sub-regulation (3) of this regulation shall be made to the Board in Form E of
the First Schedule through the depository concerned.
(5) The
depository shall verify the declarations/ undertakings given by the
shareholders under sub-regulation (4) and forward the application, along with
its recommendation for approval of the Board.
(6) If
approval under sub-regulation (2) is not granted by the Board to any person,
such person shall forthwith divest his entire shareholding in the depository.
(7) Any person
holding two percent or more of the paid up equity share capital in a depository
shall file a declaration within fifteen days from the end of every financial
year to the depository that he complies with the fit and proper criteria.
Regulation - 22A. Monitoring of shareholding limits :-
The depository shall put in place a
monitoring mechanism as specified in Part E of Second Schedule to ensure
compliance with the shareholding restrictions prescribed in these regulations
at all times.
Regulation - 23. Requirement of fit and proper :-
(1) The
depository shall ensure that all its directors and key management personnel are
fit and proper persons at all times.
(2) For the
purpose of determining whether an applicant, depository, its shareholder,
director, key management personnel or a participant, is a fit and proper person
under these regulations, the criteria specified under regulation 20 of Securities
Contracts (Regulation) (Stock exchanges and Clearing Corporations) Regulations,
2018, shall be applicable.
(3) If any
question arises on the decision of a depository as to whether a person is fit
and proper, the Boards decision on such question shall be final.
CHAPTER 5 GOVERNANCE
OF DEPOSITORY
Regulation - 24. Composition of the governing board :-
(1) The
governing board of every depository shall include:
(a) shareholder
directors;
(b) public
interest directors; and,
(c) managing
director.
(2) Subject to
prior approval of the Board, the chairperson shall be elected by the governing
board from amongst the public interest directors.
(3) The number
of public interest directors shall not be less than the number of shareholder
directors on the governing board of a Depository.
(4) The number
of public interest directors shall not be less than the number of shareholder
directors to constitute the quorum for the meeting of the governing board.
(5) The voting
on a resolution in the meeting of the governing board shall be valid only when
the number of public interest directors that have cast their vote on such
resolution is equal to or more than the number of shareholder directors who
have cast their vote on such resolution.
(6) The
casting vote in the meetings of the governing board of the depository shall be
with the chairperson of the governing board.
(7) The
managing director shall be included in the category of shareholder directors.
(8) Any
employee of a depository may be appointed on the governing board in addition to
the managing director, and such director shall be deemed to be a shareholder
director:
(9) No
depository participant or their associates and agents, irrespective of the
depository of which they are members, shall be on the governing board of a
depository.
(10) A person
who is a director in an entity, that itself is a depository participant or has
associate(s) as depository participant, he/she will be deemed to be a
depository participant:
Provided a person shall not be deemed
to be Depository Participant or their associate for the purpose of
sub-regulation 10, if he/she is on the board of a Public Financial Institution
or Bank which is in public sector, or which has no identifiable ultimate
promoter, or the ultimate promoter is in public sector or has well diversified
shareholding, and such Public Financial Institution or Bank or its associate is
a Depository Participant:
Provided further that the independent
directors of associates of Public Financial Institution or Bank in public
sector, who is a Depository Participant and where the majority shareholding is
that of such Public Financial Institution or Bank in public sector, shall not
be deemed to be Depository Participant for the purpose of sub-regulation 10.
(11) The
appointment of director shall be subject to fulfillment of other requirements
and satisfaction of the Board.
(12) Depository
shall monitor and ensure the compliance of sub-regulation 9 on continuous
basis, to ensure that directors appointed, on their governing board, do not get
associated with Depository Participant after approval and appointment.
(13) No foreign
portfolio investor shall have any representation in the governing board of a
depository.
Regulation - 25. Conditions of appointment of directors :-
(1) The
appointment and re-appointment of all shareholder directors on the governing
board of every depository shall be with the prior approval of the Board.
(2) The public
interest directors on the governing board of a depository shall be nominated by
the Board.
(3) Public
interest directors shall be nominated for a term of three years, extendable by
another term of three years, subject to performance review in the manner as may
be specified by the Board:
Provided that post the expiry of
term(s) at a depository, a public interest director may be nominated for a term
of three years in other depository or recognized stock exchange or a recognized
clearing corporation, only after a cooling-off period of one year:
Provided further that a person shall
be nominated as a public interest director for a maximum of three terms across
a depository / a recognized stock exchange / a recognized clearing corporation,
subject to a maximum age limit of seventy five years.
(4) A public
interest director on the board of a depository shall not act simultaneously as
director on the board of its subsidiary or on the board of any other depository
or recognized stock exchange or recognized clearing corporation or on the board
of subsidiary of such other depository or recognized stock exchange or
recognized clearing corporation.
(5) A public
interest director on the board of a depository shall not act simultaneously as
member on more than five committees of that depository.
(6) A public
interest director on the board of a depository shall keep its governing board
apprised of any conflict of interest, which may arise as a result of the public
interest director providing services, either directly or indirectly, to
depository participants or their associates and agents.
(7) No public
interest director shall become a shareholder director unless there is a
coolingoff period of three years after ceasing to be a public interest director
(8) No public
interest director on the governing board of a depository shall become a
director on the board of subsidiary of that depository unless there is a
cooling-off period of three years after ceasing to be a public interest
director.
(9) Public
interest directors shall be remunerated only by way of payment of sitting fees
as admissible to independent directors in the Companies Act, 2013.
(10) If any
issue arises as to whether an assignment or position of a public interest
director is in conflict with his role, the Boards decision shall be final.
(11) For the
purpose of this regulation, the procedure for appointment of directors is
prescribed under Part C of the Second Schedule.
Regulation - 26. Appointment of Managing Director :-
(1) The
appointment, renewal of appointment and termination of service of the managing
director of a depository shall be subject to prior approval of the Board.
(2) Every
depository shall, subject to the guidelines issued by the Board from time to
time, determine the qualification, manner of appointment, terms and conditions
of appointment and other procedural formalities relating to the selection/
appointment of the managing director.
(3) The
appointment of the managing director shall be for a term not exceeding five
years:
Provided that post the completion of
first term as Managing Director, the depository shall conduct the appointment
process afresh:
Provided further that a person may be
appointed as Managing Director by the depository for a maximum of two terms not
exceeding five years each subject to a maximum age limit of sixty five years.
(4) The
managing director of a depository shall not-
(a) be a
shareholder or an associate of a shareholder of a depository or shareholder of
an associate of a depository;
(b) be a
depository participant, or his associate and agent, or shareholder of a
depository participant or shareholder of an associate and agent of a depository
participant; or
(c) hold any
position concurrently in the subsidiary of a depository or in any other entity
associated with a depository:
Provided that the managing director of
a depository may be appointed on the governing board, but not as managing
director, of the subsidiary or associate of a depository.
(5) The
managing director shall be liable for removal or termination of services by the
governing board of the depository with the prior approval of the Board for
failure to give effect to the directions, guidelines and other orders issued by
the Board, or the rules, instructions, the articles of association and bye-laws
of the depository.
(6) The Board
may suo motu remove or terminate the appointment of the managing director if
deemed fit in the interest of securities market:
Provided that no managing director
shall be removed unless he has been given a reasonable opportunity of being
heard.
(7) The
conditions specified under this regulation for appointment of managing director
shall be applicable to a person holding position as managing director in a
depository on the date of commencement of these regulations.
Explanation: For the purpose of
sub-regulation (7), the applicability shall be determined post the completion
of the existing term and the prior term(s) completed by a managing director on
the governing board of a depository shall also be considered while determining
the eligibility.
Regulation - 27. Code of Conduct for directors and key management personnel :-
(1) Every
director of a depository shall abide by the Code of Conduct specified under
Part-B of Third Schedule of these regulations.
(2) Every
director and key management personnel of a depository shall abide by the Code
of Ethics specified under Part-C of Third Schedule of these regulations.
(3) Every
director and key management personnel of a depository shall satisfy the fit and
proper person criteria at all times as per sub-regulation (2) of regulation 23.
(4) The Board
may, for any failure by the directors to abide by these regulations or the Code
of Conduct or Code of Ethics or in case of any conflict of interest, either
upon a reference from the depository or suo motu, take appropriate action
including removal or termination of the appointment of any director, after
providing him a reasonable opportunity of being heard.
Regulation - 28. Compensation and tenure of key management personnel :-
(1) A
depository shall constitute a Nomination and Remuneration Committee comprising
a majority of public interest directors and chaired by a public interest
director.
(2) The
Nomination and Remuneration Committee shall determine the compensation of key
management personnel in terms of a compensation policy.
(3) The
compensation policy shall be determined by Nomination and Remuneration
committee in accordance with the norms specified by the Board under Part D of
Second Schedule.
(4) The
compensation payable to the managing director shall be as approved by the Board
and the terms and conditions of the compensation of the managing director shall
not be changed without prior approval of the Board.
(5) The
compensation given to the key management personnel shall be disclosed in the
Report of the depository under section 134 of the Companies Act, 2013.
(6) The report
under sub-regulation (5) shall comprise of ratio of compensation paid to each
key management personnel, vis-a-viz. median of compensation paid to other
employees of the depository.
(7) The tenure
of a key management personnel, other than a director, in a department, shall be
for a fixed period, as may be decided by the Nomination and Remuneration
committee.
Explanation: For the purpose of
sub-regulation (7), the tenure refers to the period of posting as key
management personnel in a regulatory department, which shall be for a fixed
period.
Regulation - 29. Segregation of regulatory departments :-
The depository shall segregate its
regulatory departments from other departments in the manner specified in Fourth
Schedule of these regulations.
Regulation - 30. Statutory committees :-
(1) The
depository shall constitute the committees as per sub-regulation (2) and
subregulation (3).
(2) Functional
committee, comprising of:
(a) Member [*]
committee;
(b) [*]
grievance redressal committee; and
(c) Nomination
and remuneration committee.
(3) Oversight
committees, comprising of:
(a) Standing
committee on technology;
(b) Advisory
committee;
(c) Regulatory
oversight committee; and
(d) Risk
management committee.
(4) The
composition, quorum and functions of the committees under sub-regulation (2)
and sub-regulation (3) shall be in the manner as specified by the Board from
time to time.
Regulation - 31. Disclosure and corporate governance norms :-
(1) The
disclosure requirements and corporate governance norms as specified for listed
companies shall mutatis mutandis apply to a depository.
(2) The
governing board of a depository shall confirm compliance of sub-regulation (1)
in writing on half yearly basis to the Board.
(3) Depository
shall disclose resources committed towards strengthening regulatory functions
and towards ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements applicable to the
depository, backed by an activity based accounting in the report under section
134 of the Companies Act, 2013.
(4) The fees
and charges levied by a depository shall be placed for review before the
Oversight Committee of such depository.
CHAPTER 6
REGISTRATION OF PARTICIPANT
Regulation - 32. Application for grant of certificate of registration :-
(1) An
application for the grant of a certificate of registration as a participant
shall be made to the Board in Form F of the First Schedule, through the
depository in which the applicant proposes to act as a participant, shall be
accompanied by the fee specified in Part A of the Second Schedule and be paid
in the manner specified in Part B thereof.
(2) The
depository shall forward to the Board the application in Form F of the First
Schedule as early as possible, but not later than thirty days along with its
recommendations and certifying that the participant complies with the
eligibility criteria including adequate infrastructure as provided for in these
regulations and the bye-laws of the depository.
Regulation - 33. Application to conform to the requirements :-
An application in Form F of the First
Schedule, which is not complete in all respects and does not conform to the
instructions specified therein, shall be rejected:
Provided that before rejecting any
such application, the applicant shall be given in writing an opportunity to
remove within thirty days of the date of communication in this regard, the
objections indicated by the Board:
Provided further that the Board may,
on being satisfied that it is necessary to extend the period specified in the
first proviso, extend such period by such further time as it thinks necessary
in order to enable the applicant to remove the objections indicated by the
Board.
Regulation - 34. Furnishing information, clarification, and personal representation :-
(1) The Board
may require the applicant, or the depository to which the applicant is to be
admitted as a participant, to furnish such further information or clarification
as may be considered necessary for the grant of a certificate of registration
to the applicant.
(2) The
applicant or his authorised representative shall, if so required, appear before
the Board for personal representation in connection with the grant of a
certificate of registration.
Regulation - 35. Consideration of application for grant of certificate of registration :-
For the purpose of grant of
certificate of registration, the Board shall take into account all matters
which are relevant to or relating to the efficient and orderly functioning of a
participant and in particular, whether the applicant complies with the
following requirements, namely :-
(a) the
applicant belongs to one of the following categories,-
(i) a public
financial institution as defined in section 2(72) of the Companies Act, 2013;
(ii) a bank
included for the time being in the Second Schedule to the Reserve Bank of India
Act, 1934 (2 of 1934);
(iii) a foreign
bank operating in India with the approval of the Reserve Bank of India;
(iv) a State
Financial Corporation established under the provisions of section 3 of the
State Financial Corporations Act, 1951 (63 of 1951);
(v) an
institution engaged in providing financial services, promoted by any of the
institutions mentioned in sub-clauses (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv), jointly or
severally;
(vi) a
custodian of securities who has been granted a certificate of registration by
the Board under sub-section (1A) of section 12 of the Act;
(vii) a clearing
corporation or a clearing house of a stock exchange;
(viii) a stock
broker who has been granted a certificate of registration by the Board under
sub-section (1) of section 12 of the Act :
Provided that the stock broker shall
have a minimum net worth of rupees fifty lakhs and the aggregate value of
portfolio of securities of the beneficial owners held in dematerialised form in
a depository through him, shall not exceed hundred times of the net worth of
the stock broker:
Provided further that if the stock
broker seeks to act as a participant in more than one depository, he shall
comply with the criteria specified in the first proviso separately for each
such depository:
Provided also that where the stock
broker has a minimum net worth of rupees ten crore, the limits on the aggregate
value of the portfolio of securities of the beneficial owners held in
dematerialized form in a depository through him shall not be applicable;
(ix) a
non-banking finance company, having a net worth of not less than rupees fifty
lakhs:
Provided that such company shall act
as a participant only on behalf of itself and not on behalf of any other
person:
Provided further that a non-banking
finance company may act as a participant on behalf of any other person, if it
has a net worth of rupees fifty crore in addition to the net worth specified by
any other authority;
(x) a
registrar to an issue or share transfer agent who has a minimum net worth of
rupees ten crores and who has been granted a certificate of registration by the
Board under sub-section (1) of section 12 of the Act;
(b) the
applicant is eligible to be admitted as a participant of the depository through
which it has made the application to the Board;
(c) the
applicant has adequate infrastructure, systems, safeguards and trained staff to
carry on activity as a participant;
(d) the
applicant is a fit and proper person; and
(e) the grant
of certificate of registration is in the interests of investors in the
securities market.
Regulation - 36. Grant of certificate of registration :-
(1) After
considering the application under regulation 32, with reference to the matters
specified in regulation 35, if the Board is satisfied that the applicant is
eligible for grant of certificate of registration, grant a certificate in Form
G of the First Schedule.
(2) The grant
of certificate of registration in Form G of the First Schedule shall be subject
to the following, namely:-
(a) the
participant shall pay the registration fee specified in Part A of the Second
Schedule in the manner specified in Part B thereof, within fifteen days of the
receipt of intimation from the Board;
(b) the
participant shall comply with the provisions of the Act, Depositories Act, the
byelaws, agreements and these regulations;
(c) the
depository through which an application for certificate of registration has
been forwarded holds a certificate of commencement of business under regulation
16;
(d) where the
participant proposes change in control, it shall obtain prior approval of the
Board for continuing to act as such after the change;
(e) if any
information previously submitted by the participant to the Board is found to be
false or misleading in any material particular, or if there is any change in
such information, the participant shall forthwith inform the Board in writing ;
(f) the
participant shall redress the grievances of beneficial owners within thirty
days of the date of the receipt of the complaint and keep the depository
informed about the number and the nature of redressals; and
(g) the
participant shall pay annual fees specified in Part A of the Second Schedule in
the manner specified in Part B thereof.
(3) The
certificate of registration granted under sub-regulation (1) shall be valid
unless it is suspended or cancelled by the Board.
(4) The
participant who has already been granted certificate of registration by the
Board, prior to the commencement of the Securities and Exchange Board of India
(Change in Conditions of Registration of Certain Intermediaries) (Amendment)
Regulations, 2016 shall be deemed to have been granted a certificate of
registration, in terms of sub-regulation (1).
(5) The
participant, to keep the registration in force, shall pay registration fee as
specified in Part A of the Second Schedule for every five years from the sixth
year of the date of grant of certificate of registration or of the date of
grant of certificate of initial registration granted prior to the commencement
of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Change in Conditions of
Registration of Certain Intermediaries) (Amendment) Regulations, 2016, as the
case may be.
(6) The fee
specified in sub-regulation (5) shall be paid three months prior to the expiry
of the block for which the fee has been paid.
(7) The
participant shall immediately intimate the Board, details of changes that have
taken place in the information that was submitted, while seeking registration.
Regulation - 37. Participants to abide by code of conduct :-
The participant holding a certificate
of registration shall, at all times, abide by the Code of Conduct as specified
in Part A of Third Schedule.
Regulation - 38. Acting as participant in more than one depository :-
(1) A
participant who has been granted a certificate of registration may act as a
participant of another depository without obtaining separate certificate of
registration subject to approval by such other depository.
(2) Such a
participant who desires to act as a participant of another depository shall
apply to such other depository for approval in the manner as specified by the
Board.
(3) On receipt
of an application under sub-regulation (2), the depository shall, on being satisfied
with the compliance of the provisions of these regulations and other relevant
eligibility requirements specified by the Board, grant approval to act as its
participant subject to payment of registration fees specified in Part A of
Second Schedule in the manner specified in Part B thereof, by the participant
within fifteen days of the receipt of intimation from the depository.
(4) The
depository shall inform the Board about the approval granted under
sub-regulation.
(5) A
participant who has been granted approval under sub-regulation (3) shall pay
annual fees specified in Part A of Second Schedule in the manner specified in
Part B thereof, separately for each depository.
(6) To keep
the registration in force, a participant who has been granted approval under subregulation
(3) shall pay registration fees specified in Part A of Second Schedule in the
manner specified in Part B thereof, for every five years from the sixth year of
the date of grant of approval by the depository.
Regulation - 39. Procedure where certificate of registration is not granted :-
(1) Where an
application for the grant of certificate of registration under regulation 32
does not satisfy the requirements specified in regulation 35, the Board shall
reject the application after giving the applicant an opportunity of being
heard.
(2) The
decision of the Board to reject the application shall be communicated to the
applicant in writing within thirty days of such decision, stating therein the
grounds on which the application has been rejected.
CHAPTER 7 RIGHTS AND
OBLIGATIONS OF DEPOSITORIES, PARTICIPANTS, ISSUERS, MANNER OF SURRENDER OF
CERTIFICATE OF SECURITY AND CREATION OF PLEDGE OR HYPOTHECATION
Regulation - 40. Rights and obligations of depositories, etc :-
The depositories, participants,
issuers, and issuers agents, in addition to the rights and obligations laid
down in the Depositories Act and the bye-laws shall have the rights and
obligations arising from the agreements entered into by them.
Regulation - 41. Depository to declare specific securities eligible :-
Every depository shall, in its
bye-laws, state the specific securities which are eligible for being held in
dematerialised form in the depository.
Regulation - 42. Security eligible for dematerialisation :-
The following securities shall be
eligible for being held in dematerialised form in a depository :-
(a) shares,
scrips, stocks, bonds, debentures, debenture stock , Indian Depository Receipts
or other marketable securities of a like nature in or of any incorporated
company or other body corporate;
(b) units of
mutual funds, rights under collective investment schemes and venture capital
funds, commercial paper, certificates of deposit, securitised debt, money
market instruments, Government securities and unlisted securities shall also be
similarly eligible for being held in dematerialised form in a depository;
(c) any other
security as may be specified by the Board from time to time, by way of a
notification in the Official Gazette and subject to such conditions as it may
deem fit to impose.
Regulation - 43. Agreement between depository and issuer :-
(1) Either on
the issuer or on the investor exercising an option to hold his securities with
a depository in dematerialised form, the issuer shall enter into an agreement
with the depository to enable the investor to dematerialise the securities:
Provided that no agreement shall be
required to be entered into where the depository itself is an issuer of
securities:
Provided further that no such
agreement shall be required to be entered into where the State or the Central
Government is the issuer of Government securities.
(2) Where the
issuer has appointed a Registrar to the Issue or Share Transfer Agent, who has
been granted certificate of registration by the Board under sub-section (1) of
section 12 of the Act, the depository shall enter into a tripartite agreement
with the issuer and the Registrar to the Issue or Share Transfer Agent, as the
case may be, in respect of the securities to be declared by the depository as
eligible to be held in dematerialised form.
Regulation - 44. Systems and procedures :-
Every depository shall have systems
and procedures which will enable it to co-ordinate with the issuer or its
agent, and the participants, to reconcile the records of ownership of
securities with the issuer or its agent, as the case may be, and with
participants, on a daily basis.
Regulation - 45. Connectivity :-
Every depository shall maintain
continuous electronic means of communication with all its participants, issuers
or issuers agents, as the case may be, clearing houses and clearing
corporations of the stock exchanges and with other depositories.
Regulation - 46. Mechanism for investor protection :-
The depository shall satisfy the Board
that it has a mechanism in place to ensure that the interests of the persons
buying and selling securities held in the depository are adequately protected.
Regulation - 47. Withdrawal by participant :-
Every depository shall allow any
participant to withdraw, or transfer its account, if the request for such
withdrawal or transfer is in accordance with conditions stipulated therefor in
the bye-laws of the depository.
Regulation - 48. Internal monitoring, review and evaluation of systems and controls :-
Every depository shall have adequate
mechanisms for the purposes of reviewing, monitoring and evaluating the
depositorys controls systems, procedures and safeguards.
Regulation - 49. External monitoring, review and evaluation of systems and controls :-
Every depository shall cause an
inspection of its controls, systems, procedures and safeguards to be carried
out annually and forward a copy of the report to the Board.
Regulation - 50. Business Continuity Plan :-
A depository shall have adequate
Business Continuity Plan for data and electronic records to prevent, prepare
for, and recover from any disaster.
Regulation - 51. Wind-down Plan :-
Every depository shall devise and
maintain a wind-down plan in accordance with guidelines specified by the Board.
Explanation: For the purpose of this
regulation, wind-down plan means a process or plan of action employed, for
transfer of the beneficial owner accounts and other two operational powers of
the depository to an alternative institution that would take over the
operations of the depository in scenarios such as erosion of net-worth of the
depository or its insolvency or its inability to provide critical depository
operations or services.
Regulation - 52. Insurance against risks :-
Every depository shall take adequate
measures including insurance to protect the interests of the beneficial owners
against risks likely to be incurred on account of its activities as a
depository.
Regulation - 53. Manner of keeping records :-
Where records are kept electronically
by the depository, it shall ensure that the integrity of the automatic data
processing systems is maintained at all times and take all precautions
necessary to ensure that the records are not lost, destroyed or tampered with
and in the event of loss or destruction, ensure that sufficient back up of
records is available at all times at a different place.
Regulation - 54. Records to be maintained :-
(1) Every
depository shall maintain the following records and documents, namely :-
(a) records of
securities dematerialised and rematerialised;
(b) the names
of the transferor, transferee, and the dates of transfer of securities;
(c) a register
and an index of beneficial owners;
(d) details of
the holding of the securities of beneficial owners as at the end of each day;
(e) records of
instructions received from and sent to participants, issuers, issuers agents
and beneficial owners;
(f) records of
approval, notice, entry and cancellation of pledge or hypothecation, as the
case may be;
(g) details of
participants;
(h) details of
securities declared to be eligible for dematerialisation in the depository; and
(i) such other
records as may be specified by the Board for carrying on the activities as a
depository.
(2) Every
depository shall intimate the Board the place where the records and documents
are maintained.
(3) Subject to
the provisions of any other law the depository shall preserve records and
documents for a minimum period of eight years.
Regulation - 55. Co-operation with other entities :-
Every depository shall extend all such
co-operation to the beneficial owners, issuers, issuers agents, custodians of
securities, other depositories and clearing organizations as is necessary for
the effective, prompt and accurate clearance and settlement of securities
transactions and conduct of business.
Regulation - 56. Consolidated account statement :-
In order to enable generation of a
consolidated account statement for the use of a beneficial owner in respect of
all demat assets held by him, the depository shall enter into necessary
agreements for sharing of such information.
Regulation - 57. Prohibition of assignment :-
No depository shall assign or delegate
to any other person its functions as a depository, without the prior approval
of the Board.
Regulation - 58. Agreement by participant :-
Every participant shall enter into an
agreement with a beneficial owner before acting as a participant on his behalf,
in a manner specified by the depository in its bye-laws.
Regulation - 59. Separate accounts :-
(1) Separate
accounts shall be opened by every participant in the name of each of the
beneficial owners and the securities of each beneficial owner shall be
segregated, and shall not be mixed up with the securities of other beneficial
owners or with the participants own securities.
(2) A
participant shall register the transfer of securities to or from a beneficial
owners account only on receipt of instructions from the beneficial owner and
thereafter confirm the same to the beneficial owner in a manner as specified by
the depository in its bye-laws.
(3) Every
entry in the beneficial owners account shall be supported by electronic instructions
or any other mode of instruction received from the beneficial owner in
accordance with the agreement with the beneficial owner.
Regulation - 60. Statement of accounts :-
Every participant shall provide
statements of account to the beneficial owner in such form and in such manner
and at such time as provided in the agreement with the beneficial owner.
Regulation - 61. Transfer or withdrawal by beneficial owner :-
Every participant shall allow a
beneficial owner to withdraw or transfer from his account in such manner as
specified in the agreement with the beneficial owner.
Regulation - 62. Connectivity :-
Every participant shall maintain
continuous electronic means of communication with each depository in which it
is a participant.
Regulation - 63. Monitoring, reviewing and evaluating internal systems and controls :-
Every participant shall have adequate
mechanism for the purpose of reviewing, monitoring and evaluating the
participants internal accounting controls and systems.
Regulation - 64. Reconciliation :-
Every participant shall reconcile his
records with every depository in which it is a participant on a daily basis.
Regulation - 65. Returns :-
Every participant shall submit
periodic returns to the Board and to every depository in which it is a
participant in the format specified by the Board or the bye-laws of the
depository, as the case may be.
Regulation - 66. Record of services :-
(1) Every
participant shall maintain the following records and documents, namely :-
(a) records of
all the transactions entered into with a depository and with a beneficial
owner;
(b) details of
securities dematerialised, rematerialised on behalf of beneficial owners with
whom it has entered into an agreement;
(c) records of
instructions received from beneficial owners and statements of account provided
to beneficial owners; and
(d) records of
approval, notice, entry and cancellation of pledge or hypothecation, as the
case may be.
(2) Every
participant shall make available for the inspection of the depository in which
it is a participant all records referred to in sub-regulation (1).
(3) Every
participant shall allow persons authorised by the depository in which it is a
participant to enter its premises during normal office hours and inspect its
records.
(4) Every
participant shall intimate the Board the place where the records and documents
are maintained.
(5) Subject to
the provisions of any other law, the participant shall preserve records and
documents for a minimum period of eight years.
Regulation - 67. Manner of keeping records :-
Where records are kept electronically
by the participant it shall ensure that the integrity of the data processing
systems is maintained at all times and take all precautions necessary to ensure
that the records are not lost, destroyed or tampered with and in the event of
loss or destruction, ensure that sufficient back up of records is available at
all times at a different place.
Regulation - 68. Records to be maintained depository-wise :-
If a participant enters into an
agreement with more than one depository, it shall maintain the records
specified in regulation 66 separately in respect of each depository.
Regulation - 69. Prohibition of assignment :-
No participant shall assign or
delegate its functions as participant to any other person, without the prior
approval of the depository.
Regulation - 70. Agreement by issuer :-
Every issuer whose securities have
been declared as eligible to be held in dematerialised form in a depository
shall enter into an agreement with the depository in accordance with the
provisions of regulation 43:
Provided that no agreement shall be
required to be entered into in case,-
(i) the
depository is the issuer of securities; or
(ii) the State
or the Central Government is the issuer of Government securities.
Regulation - 71. Manner of handling share registry work :-
All matters relating to transfer of
securities, maintenance of records of holders of securities, handling of
physical securities and establishing connectivity with the depositories shall
be handled and maintained at a single point i.e. either in-house by the issuer
or by a Share Transfer Agent registered with the Board.
Regulation - 72. Redressal of investor grievances :-
Every issuer or its agent or any
person who is registered as an intermediary under this regulation, shall
redress the grievances of beneficial owners within thirty days of the date of
receipt of the complaint and keep the depository informed about the number and
nature of grievances redressed by it and the number of grievances pending
before it.
Regulation - 73. Investor Protection Fund :-
(1) Every
depository shall establish and maintain an Investor Protection Fund for the
protection of interest of beneficial owners:
Provided
that this Fund shall not be used by the depository for the purpose of indemnifying
the beneficial owner under section 16 of the Depositories Act, 1996.
(2) Every
depository shall credit five percent or such percentage as may be specified by
the Board, of its profits from depository operations every year to the Investor
Protection Fund.
(3) The
contribution to and utilization of the Investor Protection Fund shall be in
accordance with the norms specified by the Board.
Regulation - 74. Manner of surrender of certificate of security :-
(1) Any
beneficial owner, who has entered into an agreement with a participant, shall
inform the participant of the details of the certificate of security which is
to be dematerialised, and shall surrender such certificate to the participant :
Provided that where a beneficial owner
has appointed a custodian of securities, then he may surrender the certificates
of security to the participant through his custodian of securities.
(2) The
participant shall, on receipt of information under sub-regulation (1), forward
such details of the certificate of security to the depository and shall confirm
to the depository that an agreement has been entered into between the
participant and the beneficial owner.
(3) The
participant shall maintain records indicating the names of beneficial owners of
the securities surrendered, the number of securities and other details of the
certificate of security received.
(4) The
participant shall, within seven days of the receipt of certificate of security
referred to in sub-regulation (1) furnish to the issuer details specified in
sub-regulation (2) along with the certificate of security.
(5) Within
fifteen days of receipt of the certificate of security from the participant the
issuer shall confirm to the depository that securities comprised in the said
certificate have been listed on the stock exchange or exchanges where the
earlier issued securities are listed and shall also after due verification
immediately mutilate and cancel the certificate of security and substitute in
its record the name of the depository as the registered owner and shall send a
certificate to this effect to the depository and to every stock exchange where
the security is listed:
Provided that in case of unlisted
companies the condition of listing on all the stock exchanges where earlier
issued shares are listed, shall not be applicable.
(6) Immediately
upon receipt of information from the issuer under sub-regulation (5), the
depository shall enter in its records the name of the person who has
surrendered the certificate of security as the beneficial owner, as well as the
name of the participant from whom it has received intimation under
sub-regulation (2), and shall send an intimation of the same to the
participant.
(7) The issuer
shall maintain a record of certificates of securities which have been
dematerialised.
Regulation - 75. Reconciliation :-
The issuer or its agent shall
reconcile the records of dematerialised securities with all the securities
issued by the issuer, on a daily basis:
Provided that where the State or the
Central Government is the issuer of Government securities, the depository
shall, on a daily basis, reconcile the records of the dematerialised
securities.
Regulation - 76. Audit :-
(1) Every
issuer shall submit audit report on a quarterly basis, starting from September
30, 2003, to the concerned stock exchanges audited by a qualified Chartered
Accountant or a [practicing
Company Secretary], for the purposes of reconciliation of the total issued
capital, listed capital and capital held by depositories in dematerialized
form, the details of changes in share capital during the quarter and the
in-principle approval obtained by the issuer from all the stock exchanges where
it is listed in respect of such further issued capital.
(2) The audit
report under sub-regulation (1) shall also give the updated status of the
register of members of the issuer and confirm that securities have been
dematerialized as per requests within twenty one days from the date of receipt
of requests by the issuer and where the dematerialization has not been effected
within the said stipulated period, the report shall disclose the reasons for
such delay.
(3) The issuer
shall immediately bring to the notice of the depositories and the stock
exchanges, any difference observed in its issued, listed, and the capital held
by depositories in dematerialised form.
Regulation - 77. Connectivity :-
Every issuer or its agent shall
establish continuous electronic means of communication with the depository with
which it has entered into an agreement.
Regulation - 78. Information :-
Every issuer whose securities have been
declared as eligible for dematerialisation in a depository shall give
information to the depository about book closures, record dates, dates for the
payment of interest or dividend, dates for annual general meetings and other
meetings, dates for redemption of debentures, dates for conversion of
debentures and warrants, call money dates and such other information at the
time and in the manner as may be specified by the depository in its bye-laws or
agreement:
Provided that no such information
would be required to be given to the depository where the State or the Central
Government is the issuer of Government securities.
Regulation - 79. Manner of creating pledge or hypothecation :-
(1) If a
beneficial owner intends to create a pledge on a security owned by him he shall
make an application to the depository through the participant who has his
account in respect of such securities.
(2) The
participant after satisfaction that the securities are available for pledge
shall make a note in its records of the notice of pledge and forward the
application to the depository.
(3) Within
fifteen days of receipt of the application, the depository shall after
concurrence of the pledgee through its participant, create and record the
pledge and send an intimation of the same to the participants of the pledger
and the pledgee.
(4) On receipt
of the intimation under sub-regulation (3) the participants of both the pledger
and the pledgee shall inform the pledger and the pledgee respectively of the
entry of creation of the pledge.
(5) If the depository
does not create the pledge, it shall send along with the reasons an intimation
to the participants of the pledger and the pledgee.
(6) The entry
of pledge made under sub-regulation (3) may be cancelled by the depository if
pledger or the pledgee makes an application to the depository through its
participant:
Provided that no entry of pledge shall
be cancelled by the depository without prior concurrence of the pledgee.
(7) The
depository on the cancellation of the entry of pledge shall inform the participant
of the pledger.
(8) Subject to
the provisions of the pledge document, the pledgee may invoke the pledge and on
such invocation, the depository shall register the pledgee as beneficial owner
of such securities and amend its records accordingly.
(9) After amending
its records under sub-regulation (8) the depository shall immediately inform
the participants of the pledger and pledgee of the change who in turn shall
make the necessary changes in their records and inform the pledger and pledgee
respectively.
(10) If a
beneficial owner intends to create a hypothecation on a security owned by him
he may do so in accordance with the provisions of sub-regulations (1) to (9).
(11) The
provisions of sub-regulations (1) to (9) shall mutatis mutandis apply in such
cases of hypothecation:
Provided that the depository before
registering the hypothecatee as a beneficial owner shall obtain the prior
concurrence of the hypothecator.
(12) No
transfer of security in respect of which a notice or entry of pledge or
hypothecation is in force shall be effected by a participant without the
concurrence of the pledgee or the hypothecatee, as the case may be.
[Explanation:-
For the purpose of these regulations, "pledge" includes re-pledge of
securities for margin and / or settlement obligations of the client or such
other purposes as specified by the Board from time to time.]
Regulation - 80. Investment advice :-
(1) A
depository or a participant or any of their employees shall not render,
directly or indirectly, any investment advice about any security in the
publicly accessible media, whether real-time or non-real-time, unless a
disclosure of his interest including long or short position in the said
security has been made, while rendering such advice.
(2) In case an
employee of the depository or the participant is rendering such advice, he
shall also disclose the interest of his dependent family members and the
employer including their long or short position in the said security, while
rendering such advice.
Regulation - 81. Appointment of compliance officer :-
(1) A
depository and a participant shall appoint a compliance officer who shall be
responsible for monitoring the compliance of the Act, rules and regulations,
notifications, guidelines, instructions, etc., issued thereunder and for
redressal of investors grievances.
(2) The
compliance officer shall immediately and independently report to the Board any
noncompliance observed by him.
Regulation - 82. Equal, fair and transparent access :-
A depository shall ensure equal,
unrestricted, transparent and fair access to all persons without any bias
towards its associates and related entities.
CHAPTER 8 LISTING OF
SECURITIES
Regulation - 83. Listing :-
(1) Subject to
the provisions of applicable laws in force, a depository may apply for listing
of its securities on a recognised stock exchange if,-
(a) it is
compliant with the provisions of these regulations particularly those relating
to ownership and governance;
(b) it has
completed three years of continuous depository operations immediately preceding
the date of application of listing; and
(c) it has
obtained approval of the Board.
(2) The Board
may specify such conditions as it may deem fit in the interest of the
securities market including those in relation to transfer of shares held by any
person.
(3) A
depository or its associates shall not list its securities on a recognized
stock exchange that is an associate of the depository.
CHAPTER 9 INSPECTION
Regulation - 84. Boards right to inspect :-
The Board may appoint one or more
persons as inspecting officer to undertake inspection of the books of account,
records, documents and infrastructure, systems and procedures, or to
investigate the affairs of a depository, a participant, a beneficial owner an
issuer or its agent for any of the following purposes, namely:-
(a) to ensure
that the books of account are being maintained by the depository, participant,
issuer or its agent in the manner specified in these regulations;
(b) to look
into the complaints received from the depositories, participants, issuers,
issuers agents, beneficial owners or any other person;
(c) to
ascertain whether the provisions of the Act, the Depositories Act, the
bye-laws, agreements and these regulations are being complied with by the
depository, participant, beneficial owner, issuer or its agent;
(d) to ascertain
whether the systems, procedures and safeguards being followed by a depository,
participant, beneficial owner, issuer or its agent are adequate;
(e) to suo
motu ensure that the affairs of a depository, participant, beneficial owner,
issuer or its agent, are being conducted in a manner which are in the interest
of the investors or the securities market.
Regulation - 85. Notice before inspection and investigation :-
(1) Before
ordering an inspection or investigation under regulation 84, the Board shall
give not less than ten days notice to the depository, participant, beneficial
owner, issuer or its agent, as the case may be.
(2) Notwithstanding
anything contained in sub-regulation (1), where the Board is satisfied that in
the interest of the investors no such notice should be given, it may, by an
order in writing direct that such inspection be taken up without such notice.
(3) During the
course of an inspection or investigation, the depository, a participant, a
beneficial owner, an issuer or its agent against whom the inspection or
investigation is being carried out shall be bound to discharge his obligation
as provided in regulation 86.
Regulation - 86. Obligations on inspection by the Board :-
(1) It shall
be the duty of the depository, a participant, a beneficial owner, an issuer or
its agent whose affairs are being inspected or investigated, and of every
director, officer and employee thereof, to produce to the inspecting officer
such books, securities, accounts, records and other documents in its custody or
control and furnish him with such statements and information relating to his
activities as a depository, a participant, a beneficial owner, an issuer or its
agent, as the inspecting officer may require, within such reasonable period as
the inspecting officer may specify.
(2) The
depository, a participant, a beneficial owner, an issuer or its agent also
allow the inspecting officer to have reasonable access to the premises occupied
by him or by any other person on his behalf and also extend reasonable facility
for examining any books, records, documents and computer data in the possession
of the depository, a participant, a beneficial owner, an issuer or its agent or
such other person and also provide copies of documents or other materials
which, in the opinion of the inspecting officer are relevant for the purposes
of the inspection.
(3) The
inspecting officer, in the course of inspection or investigation, shall be
entitled to examine or to record the statements of any director, officer or
employee of the depository, a participant, a beneficial owner, an issuer or its
agent.
(4) It shall
be the duty of every director, officer or employee of the depository, a
participant, a beneficial owner, an issuer or its agent to give to the
inspecting officer all assistance in connection with the inspection, which the
inspecting officer may reasonably require.
Regulation - 87. Submission of report to the Board :-
The inspecting officer shall, as soon
as possible, on completion of the inspection or investigation as the case may
be, submit a report to the Board:
Provided that if directed to do so by
the Board, he may submit interim reports.
Regulation - 88. Action on inspection or investigation report :-
The Board or the Chairman shall after
consideration of inspection or investigation report take such action as the
Board or Chairman may deem fit and appropriate including action under Chapter V
of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Intermediaries) Regulations,
2008.
Regulation - 89. Appointment of Auditor :-
The Board shall have the power to
appoint an auditor to inspect or investigate, into the books of account,
records, documents, infrastructures, systems and procedures or affairs of a
depository, a participant, a beneficial owner, an issuer or its agent :
Provided that the auditor so appointed
shall have the same powers of the inspecting or investigating officer as stated
in regulations 84 and 85, and the obligation of the depository, participant,
beneficial owner, issuer or its agent and their respective directors, officers
and employees, as the case may be, as stated in regulation 86, shall be
applicable to the inspection or investigation under this regulation.
Regulation - 90. Board to recover the expenses :-
The Board shall be entitled to recover
from the depository, participant, beneficial owner, issuer or its agent, as the
case may be, such expenses including fees paid to the auditors as may be
incurred by it for the purposes of inspecting or investigating the books of
account, records, documents, infrastructures, system and procedures of the
depository, participant, beneficial owner, issuer or its agent, as the case may
be.
Regulation - 91. Application of Chapter :-
Nothing contained in this Chapter
shall be applicable to the State or the Central Government where it is the
issuer of the Government securities.
CHAPTER 10 PROCEDURE
FOR ACTION IN CASE OF DEFAULT
Regulation - 92. Liability for action in case of default :-
Without prejudice to the power of the
Board to take action, under the provisions of the Act and the Depositories Act,
if a depository or a participant:-
(a) contravenes
any of the provisions of the Act, the Depositories Act, the bye-laws,
agreements and these regulations;
(b) fails to
furnish any information relating to its activity as a depository or participant
as required under these regulations;
(c) does not
furnish the information called for by the Board under clause (a) of sub-section
(1) of section 18 of the Depositories Act or furnishes information which is
false or misleading in any material particular;
(d) does not
co-operate in any inspection or investigation or enquiry conducted by the
Board;
(e) fails to
comply with any direction of the Board issued under section 18 of the
Depositories Act;
(f) fails to
pay the annual fee referred to in regulation 8, shall be dealt with in the
manner provided under Chapter V of the Securities and Exchange Board of India
(Intermediaries) Regulations, 2008.
Regulation - 93. Liability for action in case of default by issuer or its agent :-
(1) If an
issuer or its agent -
(a) contravenes
any of the provisions of the Depositories Act, the byelaws, agreements, these
regulations and directions issued thereunder;
(b) fails to
furnish any information relating to its activity as an issuer as required under
these regulations;
(c) does not
furnish the information called for by the Board under clause (a) of subsection
(1) of section 18 of the Depositories Act or furnishes information which is
false or misleading in any material particular;
(d) does not
co-operate in any inspection or investigation or enquiry conducted by the
Board;
(e) fails to
comply with any direction of the Board issued under section 18 of the
Depositories Act, the Board may, without prejudice to any other action which it
may take under the Act, take any action against such issuer or its agent under
the Depositories Act.
(2) The
depository shall conduct inspection of the records of the issuers or agents, as
the case may be to ensure that the records of dematerialised securities are
reconciled with all the securities issued by the issuer and submit its report
to the Board if there is failure by the issuers or agents in such
reconciliation of records.
CHAPTER 11
MISCELLANEOUS
Regulation - 94. Power to call for information :-
The Board may from time to time call
for any information, documents or records from the depository or its governing
board or any shareholder or applicant thereof and from depository participant.
Regulation - 95. Directions by the Board :-
Without prejudice to exercise of its
powers under the provisions of the Act, Depositories Act, 1996 and rules and
regulations made thereunder, the Board may, either suo motu or on receipt of
any information or during pendency of any inspection, inquiry or investigation
or on completion thereof, in the interest of public or trade or investors or
the securities market, issue such directions as it deems fit, including but not
limited to any or all of the following:-
(a) directing
a person holding equity shares or rights over equity shares in a depository in
contravention of these regulations to divest his holding, in such manner as may
be specified in the direction;
(b) directing
transfer of any proceeds or securities to the Investor Protection Fund of a
depository;
(c) debarring
any depository, any shareholder of such depository, or any associate and agent
of such shareholder, or any transferee of shares from such shareholder, or
applicant(s), director(s) and key management personnel(s) of the depository
from accessing the securities market and/or dealing in securities for such
period as may be determined by the Board.
Regulation - 96. Power to remove difficulties :-
In order to remove any difficulties in
the interpretation or application of the provisions of these regulations, the
Board shall have the power to issue directions through guidance notes or
circulars.
Regulation - 97. Power to specify procedures, etc. and issue clarifications :-
For the purposes of implementation of
these regulations and matters incidental thereto, the Board may specify norms,
procedures, processes, manners or guidelines as specified in these regulations,
by way of circulars.
Regulation - 98. Repeal and savings :-
(1) On and
from the commencement of these regulations, the Securities and Exchange Board
of India (Depositories and Participants) Regulations, 1996, shall stand
repealed.
(2) Notwithstanding
such repeal, anything done or any action taken or purported to have been taken
or contemplated under the repealed regulations before the commencement of these
regulations shall be deemed to have been done or taken or commenced or
contemplated under the corresponding provisions of these regulations.
(3) After the
repeal of the regulations referred to in sub-regulation (1), any reference
thereto in any regulation, guideline, circular or direction issued by the Board
shall be deemed to be a reference to the relevant provisions of these
regulations.
SCHEDULE
1
FIRST SCHEDULE
FORM A
Securities and
Exchange Board of India (Depositories and Participants) Regulations, 2018
[See regulation 3]
Application for grant of certificate of registration as
depository
Securities and Exchange Board of India, C4-A, ‘G’ Block,
Bandra-Kurla Complex, Bandra (East) Mumbai 400051 - India,
INSTRUCTIONS
i.
This
form is meant for use by each person acting as the applicant of a depository.
ii.
The
applicant should complete this form, and submit it, along with all supporting
documents to the Board at its head office at Mumbai.
iii.
This
application form should be filled in accordance with the regulations.
iv.
Application
for grant of certificate of registration as depository, will be considered
provided it is complete in all respects.
v.
All
answers must be typed.
vi.
Information
which needs to be supplied in more detail may be given on separate sheets which
should be attached to the application form.
vii.
The
application must be signed and all signatures must be original.
viii.
The
application must be accompanied by an application fee as specified in the
Second Schedule to these regulations and by the draft bye-laws.
ix.
Every
page of the form and every additional sheet must be initialed by the authorised
signatory of the applicant.
x.
All
copies of documents should be attested as true by an authorised notary.
Items 1-6
pertain to an applicant
1.
Name,
address of the registered office, address for correspondence, telephone
number(s), fax number(s), telex number(s) and the name of the contact person of
the applicant.
2.
Please
indicate the name of the depository which is proposed to be established by the
applicant.
3.
Please
indicate the names of other depositories, if any, which have been sponsored by
the applicant, or in which the applicant is acting as participant.
4.
Please
indicate the category to which the applicant belongs as per regulation 6 read
with subregulation (1) and (2) of regulation 21.
5.
Please
provide the following details of each applicant:
(a)
Date
of incorporation or establishment, and the statute, if any, under which
established (enclose certificate of incorporation, memorandum and articles of
association or statutory provisions, if any).
(b)
Objects
of the applicant.
(c)
Details
of the nature of activities carried on by the applicant.
(d)
Details
of affiliates and subsidiaries, and activities carried on by them.
(e)
Details
of registration with the Securities and Exchange Board of India, the Reserve
Bank of India or with any foreign regulatory authority of the applicant, its
affiliates and its subsidiaries (enclose documents supporting such
registration).
(f)
Net
worth of the applicant (enclose a copy of the latest audited financial
statements).
(g)
Percentage
and amount of the paid up capital of the proposed depository which the
applicant is to hold.
6.
Declaration
statement (to be given as below) by each applicant.
We hereby agree and declare that the
information supplied in the application, including the attachment sheets, is
complete and true.
And we further agree that we will
notify Securities and Exchange Board of India immediately any change in the
information provided in the application.
We further agree that we shall
comply with, and be bound by the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act,
1992, and Securities and Exchange Board of India (Depositories and
Participants) Regulations, 2018, and such other guidelines/instructions which
may be announced by the Securities and Exchange Board of India from time to
time.
We further agree that as a condition
of registration, we shall abide by such operational instructions/directives as
may be issued by the Securities and Exchange Board of India from time to time.
For and on behalf of
..................................
(Name of the applicant)
Authorised
signatory..................................
(Name) (Signature)
Date:
Place:
Items 7-14 pertain to the
depository, and should be filled in accordingly
7.
Name,
address of the registered office, address for correspondence, telephone
number(s), fax number(s), telex number(s) and the name of the contact person of
the applicant.
8.
Date
of incorporation of the depository (enclose certificate of incorporation and
memorandum and articles of association)
(a)
Objects
(main and ancillary) of the depository.
(b)
Authorised,
issued, subscribed and paid-up capital of the depository.
(c)
Proposed
net worth of the depository.
(d)
Details
of proposed shareholding of each applicant.
9.
The
following details may be given for each director of the depository, and for its
principal officer.
(a)
Name,
age, nationality.
(b)
Details
of educational and other qualifications.
(c)
Details
of experience.
(d)
Details
of other directorships held.
(e)
Details
of any litigation connected with the securities market which has an adverse
bearing on the business of the depository, involving the director or principal
officer, and details of any conviction of the director or principal officer for
a crime involving moral turpitude or of any economic offence for which the
director or principal officer has been found guilty.
10.
Please
indicate the details of staff and organisation structure that is proposed to be
set- up prior to commencement of business.
11.
Details
of infrastructure such as premises and automatic data processing, storage and
back up systems and procedures, communication systems that are proposed to be
set-up prior to commencement of business.
12.
Internal
evaluation and monitoring systems that are proposed to be set-up prior to the
commencement of business.
13.
Arrangements
for indemnification of beneficial owners that are proposed to be put in place,
including details of insurance cover proposed to be taken prior to the
commencement of business.
14.
Declaration
statement (to be given as below).
We hereby agree and declare that the
information supplied in the application including the attachment sheets, is
complete and true.
And we further agree that, we will
notify Securities and Exchange Board of India immediately any change in the
information provided in the application.
We further agree that we shall
comply with, and be bound by the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act,
1992, and Securities and Exchange Board of India (Depositories and
Participants) Regulations, 2018, and such other guidelines/instructions which
may be announced by the Securities and Exchange Board of India from time to
time.
We further agree that as a condition
of registration, we shall abide by such operational instructions/directives as
may be issued by the Securities and Exchange Board of India from time to time.
For and on behalf of..................................
(Name of the applicant)
Authorised
signatory..................................
(Name) (Signature)
Date:
Place:
FORM B
Securities and
Exchange Board of India (Depositories and Participants) Regulations, 2018
[See regulation
7]
Certificate of registration as depository
I.
In
exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1A) of section 12 of the
Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992 (15 of 1992) read with the
regulations made thereunder and with the Depositories Act, 1996 ( 22 of 1996)
the Board hereby grants a certificate of registration to
........................... as a Depository subject to the conditions specified
in the Act, the Depositories Act and the regulations made thereunder.
II.
Registration
Number for the Depository is IN/SD///
Date :
Place :
Mumbai By Order
Sd/-
For and on behalf of the
Securities and Exchange Board of India
FORM C
Securities and
Exchange Board of India (Depositories and Participants) Regulations, 2018
[See regulation 11]
Application for grant of certificate of commencement of
business as depository
Securities and Exchange Board of India, C4-A, ‘G’ Block,
Bandra-Kurla Complex, Bandra (East) Mumbai 400051 – India
INSTRUCTIONS
i.
This
form is meant for use by a depository granted a certificate of registration by
the Securities and Exchange Board of India.
ii.
The
applicant should complete this form, and submit it, along with all supporting
documents to the Board at its head office at Mumbai.
iii.
This
application form should be filled in accordance with the regulations.
iv.
Application
for grant of certificate of commencement of business will be considered
provided it is complete in all respects.
v.
All
answers must be typed.
vi.
Information
which needs to be supplied in more detail may be given on separate sheets which
should be attached to the application form.
vii.
The
application must be signed and all signatures must be original.
viii.
Every
page of the form and every additional sheet must be initialled by the
authorised signatory of the applicant.
ix.
All
copies of documents should be attested as true by an authorised notary.
1.
Name
and registration number of the applicant.
2.
Date
of grant of certificate of registration to the applicant.
3.
Please
indicate whether bye-laws have been approved by the Board.
4.
Please
indicate the details of staff and organisation structure that has been set-up.
5.
Please
indicate the background and experience of key personnel.
6.
Internal
evaluation and monitoring systems including details of background and
experience of personnel involved that have been set-up (enclose copies of risk
management and operations manuals).
7.
Please
provide the following details of the automatic data processing and
communications systems :
(a)
details
of hardware, software and communications systems, their capability, function
and location;
(b)
details
of data storage and back up procedures and sites, their capability, function
and location;
(c)
details
of disaster recovery systems and procedures.
8.
Please
indicate whether premises and automatic data processing and communications
systems are owned, leased or rented (enclose copies of title lease or rental
agreements).
9.
Please
indicate arrangements that have been put in place in order to indemnify
beneficial owners.
10.
Please
enclose copy of insurance cover that has been taken.
11.
Please
enclose a copy of the participation agreement to be entered into with different
categories of participants.
12.
Please
enclose a copy of the agreement to be entered into with the issuer, or with the
issuer and his registrar.
13.
Please
enclose a copy of the agreement to be entered into between the participant, as
the depositorys agent, and the beneficial owners.
14.
Declaration
statement (to be given as below) :
We hereby agree and declare that the information supplied in
the application, including the attachment sheets, is complete and true.
And we further agree that, we will notify the Securities and
Exchange Board of India immediately of any change in the information provided
in the application.
We further agree that we shall comply with, and be bound by
the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992, and the Securities and
Exchange Board of India (Depositories and Participants) Regulations, 2018, and
such other guidelines/instructions which may be announced by the Securities and
Exchange Board of India from time to time.
We further agree that as a condition of registration, we
shall abide by such operational instructions/directives as may be issued by the
Securities and Exchange Board of India from time to time.
For and on behalf of...................................
(Name of the applicant)
Authorised signatory...................................
(Name) (Signature)
Date:
Place:
FORM D
Securities and
Exchange Board of India (Depositories and Participants) Regulations, 2018
[See regulation
16]
Certificate of commencement of business as depository
In exercise of the powers conferred by section 3 of the
Depositories Act, 1996 ( 22 of 1996) read with the regulations, the Board
hereby grants a certificate of commencement of business to.............................
as a depository subject to the conditions specified in the Act, the
Depositories Act and the regulations made thereunder.
Date:
Place :
Mumbai
By order
Sd/-
For and on behalf of the
Securities and Exchange Board of India
FORM E
Securities and
Exchange Board of India (Depositories and Participants) Regulations, 2018
[See regulation
22(2) and 22(3)]
Application for grant of approval for acquisition of shares
of a depository
Securities and Exchange Board of India, C4-A, ‘G’ Block,
Bandra-Kurla Complex, Bandra (East) Mumbai 400051 – India
INSTRUCTIONS
i.
This
form is meant for use by a person who acquires shares of a depository in terms
of subregulation (2) or sub-regulation (3) of regulation (22).
ii.
The
applicant should complete this form, and submit it, along with all supporting
documents, if any to the Board through the depository concerned.
iii.
This
application form should be filled in accordance with the regulations.
iv.
Application
seeking approval will be considered provided it is complete in all respects.
v.
All
answers must be typed.
vi.
Information
which needs to be supplied in more detail may be given on separate sheets which
should be attached to the application form.
vii.
The
application must be signed and all signatures must be original.
viii.
Every
page of the form and every additional sheet must be initialled by the applicant
/ authorised signatory of the applicant.
1.
Name
2.
Address
3.
Details
of employment/ business, if any
4.
SEBI
registration number, if any
5.
Details
of registration with other statutory authorities,
6.
Declaration
regarding the fulfillment of requirements of regulation 23 of these
Regulations.
7.
Details
of action taken / penalties imposed on him by any statutory authority in India
or abroad.
8.
Details
of activities that may, in the opinion of the shareholder, lead to his / its
disqualification.
9.
Association
with depository participants
10.
Cases
pending before any Court, Tribunal or any other statutory authority in India or
abroad, if any.
11.
Previous
approvals from the Board as fit and proper, if any.
12.
Declaration
statement (to be given as below) by each applicant.
I / we hereby agree and declare that the information
supplied in the application, including the attachment sheets, if any, is
complete and true.
And I / we further agree that I / we will notify Securities
and Exchange Board of India immediately any change in the information provided
in the application.
I / we further agree that we shall comply with, and be bound
by the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992, and Securities and
Exchange Board of India (Depositories and Participants) Regulations, 2018, and
such other guidelines/instructions which may be announced by the Securities and
Exchange Board of India from time to time.
For and on behalf of.........................................
(Name of the applicant)
Authorised
signatory.........................................
(Name) (Signature)
Date:
Place:
FORM F
Securities and
Exchange Board of India (Depositories and Participants) Regulations, 2018
[Regulation 32]
Application for Grant of Certificate of Registration as
Participant
Securities and Exchange Board of India, C4-A, ‘G’ Block,
Bandra-Kurla Complex, Bandra (East) Mumbai 400051 – India
INSTRUCTIONS
i.
This
form is meant for use by an applicant for grant of registration as participant.
ii.
The
form should be filled in by the applicant and submitted to the depository in
which it is acting as participant, who shall forward it, along with all
supporting documents to the Board at its head office at Mumbai.
iii.
This
application form should be filled in accordance with the regulations.
iv.
Application
for grant of registration, as the case may be, will be considered provided it
is complete in all respects.
v.
All
answers must be typed.
vi.
Information
which needs to be supplied in more detail may be given on separate sheets which
should be attached to the application form.
vii.
The
application must be signed and all signatures must be original.
viii.
The
application must be accompanied by an application fee as specified in the
Second Schedule to these regulations.
ix.
Every
page of the form and every additional sheet must be initialed by the authorised
signatory of the applicant.
x.
All
copies of documents should be attested as true by an authorised notary.
1.
Name,
address of the registered office, address for correspondence, telephone
number(s), fax number(s), telex number(s) of the applicant and the name of the
contact person.
2.
Please
indicate to which of the categories under sub-regulation (a) of regulation 35,
the applicant belongs.
3.
(a)Date
and place of incorporation or establishment and date of commencement of
business (enclose certificate of incorporation, memorandum and articles of
association or statutory provisions, if any).
(b) Details of the activities
carried on by the applicant, in India or overseas.
(c) Details of affiliates and
subsidiaries of the applicant operating in India, and activities carried on by
them.
(d) Details of registration with the
Securities and Exchange Board of India, the Reserve Bank of India or with any
regulatory authority overseas of the applicant, and of its affiliates and
subsidiaries operating in India.
(e) Date of commencement of business
in India and overseas (please enclose copies of the Reserve Bank of Indias
permission, and if applicable copies of approvals from the Central Government
to carry on activities mentioned above).
(f) Type and number of beneficial
owners on whose behalf the applicant proposes to act as participant (Financial
Institutions, Mutual Funds, Foreign Portfolio Investors, Portfolio Managers,
Non-Banking Finance Companies, Stock Brokers, Corporates, Individuals, or for
own account).
4.
Please
give the name and SEBI registration number of the depository in which the
applicant is to act as participant.
5.
Please
state whether the applicant, his partner, director or principal officer is
involved in any litigation connected with the securities market which has an
adverse bearing on the business of the applicant; or has at any time been
convicted for any moral turpitude or at any time has been found guilty of any
economic offence.
6.
Please
also state whether there has been any instance of violation or non-adherence to
the securities laws, code of ethics/conduct, code of business rules, for which
the applicant or its parent or holding company or affiliate may have been
subject to economic, or criminal liability, or suspended from carrying out its
operations, or the registration revoked temporarily.
7.
Please
indicate the net worth and paid-up capital in rupees crore as per the latest
audited financial statements of the applicant.
8.
Please
indicate services that the applicant is already providing to beneficial owners
on whose behalf the applicant proposes to act as participant, and services
proposed to be provided to beneficial owners.
9.
Please
provide the following details regarding staff involved in activities as
participant:
(a)
organisation
structure;
(b)
experience
and background of key personnel.
10.
Please
provide the following details regarding safekeeping and security systems and
procedures:
(a)
risk
control and operations manuals;
(b)
give
details of independent internal control mechanisms for monitoring evaluation
and review of accounting, and reporting systems and procedures.
11.
Please
provide the following details regarding automatic data processing systems and
record keeping :
(a)
details
of hardware, software and communications systems, their capability, function
and location;
(b)
details
of data storage and back up procedures and sites, their capability, function
and location;
(c)
details
of disaster recovery systems and procedures.
12.
Details
of insurance cover to be taken up.
13.
Please
indicate the applicants shareholding for each depository in which it has such
shareholding and whether any shareholding is proposed to be acquired in the
depository through which this application is being made.
14.
Please
enclose a copy of an undertaking from the depository in which the applicant is
to act as participant that:
(a)
the
applicant is eligible to act as participant in the depository through which
this application is being submitted to the Board, and meets with the
eligibility criteria for participants specified in these regulations and in the
depositorys bye-laws;
(b)
the
applicant has adequate automatic data processing systems, adequate and
competent staff, risk management systems, procedures and manuals, disaster
recovery procedures, secure data storage and off site back up facilities,
adequate communications links and insurance; to enable the applicant to fulfil
its obligations as participants to the satisfaction of the depository; and
(c)
the
agreement to be entered into between the participant and beneficial owners has
been submitted to the depository is in accordance with the depositorys
bye-laws.
15.
Declaration
statement (to be given as below).
We hereby agree and declare that the information supplied in
the application, including the attachment sheets, is complete and true.
And we further agree that, we will notify Securities and
Exchange Board of India immediately any change in the information provided in the
application.
We further agree that we shall comply with, and be bound by
the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992 and the Securities and
Exchange Board of India (Depositories and Participants) Regulations, 2018, and
such other guidelines/instructions which may be announced by the Securities and
Exchange Board of India from time to time.
We further agree that as a condition of registration, we
shall abide by such operational instructions/directives as may be issued by the
Securities and Exchange Board of India from time to time.
For and on behalf of.......................................
(Name of the applicant)
Authorised signatory.......................................
(Name) (Signature)
Date:
Place:
FORM G
Securities and
Exchange Board of India (Depositories and Participants) Regulations, 2018
[Regulation 36]
Certificate of Registration as Participant
I.
In
exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1A) of section 12 of the
Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992 (15 of 1992) read with the
regulations made thereunder and with the Depositories Act, 1996 ( 22 of 1996)
the Board hereby grants a certificate of registration
to...............................................as a participant subject to
the conditions specified in the Act, the Depositories Act and the regulations
made thereunder.
II.
Registration
Number for the participant is IN/DP/ / /
III.
This
certificate of registration shall be valid, unless it is suspended or cancelled
by the Board.
Date:
Place: Mumbai
By order
Sd/-
For and on behalf of the
Securities and Exchange Board of India
SCHEDULE 2
SECOND SCHEDULE
[see
regulations 3, 7, 8, 9, 32, 36]
Securities and
Exchange Board of India (Depositories and Participants) Regulations, 2018
PART A
APPLICATION
FEES, REGISTRATION FEES, ANNUAL CHARGE AND ANNUAL FEES
|
Application
fees payable by applicant
|
(Rs.) 5,00,000
|
|
Application
fees payable by participant
|
(Rs.) 15,000
|
|
Registration
fees payable by depository
|
(Rs.) 1,00,00,000
|
|
Registration
fees payable by participant
|
(Rs.) 2,00,000
|
|
Annual
fees payable by depository
|
(Rs.) 50,00,000
|
|
Annual
fees payable by participant
|
(Rs.) 1,000
|
|
Annual
charges payable by depository
|
2% of annual custody charges
collected by depositories from issuers
|
|
PART B
|
|
MANNER OF PAYMENT
OF APPLICATION, REGISTRATION, ANNUAL CHARGE AND ANNUAL FEES
|
|
Fees
to be paid by
|
Manner
of payment
|
|
applicant
or depository
|
By
way of direct credit in the bank account through NEFT/RTGS/IMPS or any other
mode allowed by RBI or demand draft or bankers cheque payable to the
“Securities and Exchange Board of India???
at Mumbai.
|
|
Participant
|
Fees
to be paid to the depository in which the payer is a Participant. The
Depository shall forward the fees collected from participants to the Board,
by way of direct credit in the bank account through NEFT/RTGS/IMPS or any
other mode allowed by RBI or by a demand draft or bankers cheque payable to
the “Securities and Exchange Board of India???
at Mumbai.
|
PART C
Securities and
Exchange Board of India (Depositories and Participants) Regulations, 2018
[See regulation
25]
I.
PROCEDURE FOR APPOINTMENT OF DIRECTORS
1.
All
directors while seeking approval shall submit to the depository the following
details
a.
Name
b.
Address
c.
Educational
qualification
d.
Details
of employment/ Occupation, past and present
e.
Details
of other directorships
f.
DIN
No.
g.
Declaration
regarding the fulfillment of requirements specified under regulation 23 of
these Regulations.
h.
Declaration
confirming compliance of Regulation 24(10) read with Regulation 2(1)(c) of
these Regulations, in respect of non-association with trading member or
clearing member.
i.
Details
of regulatory action taken by any statutory authority in India.
j.
Details
of activities that may in the opinion of the director, lead to his
disqualification.
k.
Association,
if any, with trading members/ depository participants.
l.
Disclosure
of the names of his dependents associated with the securities market as member,
depository participant, sub-broker, authorized person or holding any
registration granted by the Board.
m.
An
undertaking that he shall abide by the code of conduct and code of ethics
prescribed in Part B and Part C of Third Schedule to these Regulations.
n.
In
the case of public interest directors, consent letters for acting as a public
interest director.
o.
Criminal
cases completed/ pending before any authority in India or abroad, if any.
2.
The
depository, while recommending the names of director, shall forward the above
details to the Board, along with the minutes of the meeting of the governing
board where the name was approved, copy of the shareholders resolution
(wherever applicable), a confirmation by the depository that the director is a
fit and proper person in terms of the criteria specified in these regulations
and are not associated with any depository participant, trading member or
clearing member in terms of regulation 24(10) read with regulation 2(1)(c) of
these Regulations.
II.
Managing Director / Executive
Director:-
(1)
The
Nomination and Remuneration Committee of the Depository shall be responsible
for selection of CEO /Managing Director / Executive Director, as the case may
be. The managing director shall be selected through open advertisement in all
editions of atleast one national daily from amongst persons qualified in the
fields of capital market/ finance/ management and possessing sufficient experience.
[The depository shall forward the
new names to the Board before two months from the last working day of the
existing Managing Director.]
(2)
In
case a vacancy of managing director arises due to unforeseen reasons, the
depository shall forward the new names to the Board within 60 days from the
date of submission of resignation or such vacation of office.
III.
Public Interest Directors:-
(1)
The
names of public interest directors shall be forwarded to the Board after the
approval of the Board of the depository. The shareholders approval shall not be
necessary. A minimum of two names shall be submitted to the Board for each
vacancy of public interest directors.
(2)
The
depository shall ensure that public interest directors are selected from
diverse field of work. While deciding to propose a particular person as a
public interest director, the depository shall also take into account the
following factors:
(a)
Qualification
in the area of law, finance, accounting, economics, management, administration
or any other area relevant to the financial markets.
(b)
At
least one person may be inducted having experience and background in
finance/accounts who may preferably be inducted in the audit committee.
(c)
Persons
currently holding positions of trust and responsibility in reputed organizations
or person who have retired from such positions.
(d)
Persons
who are likely to have interested positions in commercial contracts and
financial affairs of depository may be excluded. Also, persons who are regular
traders/speculators in the market or are director in the board of the applicant
of the depository shall be excluded.
(3)
Public
interest directors shall peruse the relevant laws, code of conduct, code of
ethics, etc and submit an undertaking to the depository that they are aware of
their role, responsibilities and obligations. The depository may conduct
familiarization programmes for newly appointed Public Interest Directors and
may also conduct annual training for every public interest director.
(4)
In
case of extension of the term of the public interest director or appointment of
a new public interest director, the depository shall apply to the Board two
months before the expiry of the term. In addition to the other requirements
prescribed herein, the application for extension of term of the public interest
director shall be accompanied with, his attendance details on meetings of
various committees and on the governing board of the stock exchange / clearing
corporation, performance review and the reasons for extension of term.
(5)
The
existing public interest director shall continue holding the post, till a new
public interest director is appointed in his place.
IV.
Share Holder Directors:-
(1)
The
names of person(s) to be appointed as shareholder director(s) shall first be
approved by the governing board of the depository followed by shareholders
approval before submitting the same to the Board for approval.
(2)
The
manner of election, appointment, tenure, resignation, vacation, etc., of a
shareholder director shall be governed by the Companies Act, 2013, save as
otherwise specifically provided under these Regulations.
V.
General conditions on appointment of
directors:-
(1)
The
depository shall complete the appointment process within 30 days from Boards
nomination/approval for directors and submit a compliance report within one
week from the date of appointment.
(2)
In
case any other official of the depository is appointed on the governing board
in addition to the Managing Director, the same shall be subject to the approval
of shareholders and the Board, in that order.
PART D
Securities and
Exchange Board of India (Depositories and Participants) Regulations, 2018
[See regulation
28 (3)]
Norms for compensation policy
(1)
Regulation
28 of these Regulations mandates that the compensation policy for key
management personnel of depository shall be in accordance with the norms
specified by the Board. The compensation norms, in this regard, shall be as
follows:-
a)
The
variable pay component shall not exceed one-third of total pay.
b)
Fifty
percent of the variable pay shall be paid on a deferred basis after three
years.
c)
ESOPs
and other equity linked instruments in the depository shall not be offered or
provided as part of the compensation for the key management personnel.
d)
The
compensation policy shall have malus and clawback arrangements.
(2)
Apart
from the above, the compensation policy of the depository shall take into
consideration the following:
a)
financial
condition / health of the depository
b)
average
levels of compensation payable to employees in similar ranks,
c)
shall
not contain any provisions regarding incentives to take excessive risks over
the short term,
d)
revenues,
net profit of the depository,
e)
comparable
to the industry standards,
f)
role
and responsibilities of the key management personnel,
g)
periodic
review
(3)
Further,
at the time of seeking approval of the Board for the appointment of the
managing director, the depository shall seek approval for the compensation of
the managing director from the Board.
PART E
Securities and
Exchange Board of India (Depositories and Participants) Regulations, 2018
[See regulation
22(10)]
Monitoring of shareholding limits
(1)
In
terms of sub-regulation (4) of regulation 22, the depository shall put in place
a monitoring mechanism to ensure compliance with the shareholding restrictions
prescribed in these Regulations at all times. Depository shall:-
(a)
Check
the shareholding data on a periodic basis to ensure that the shareholding
restrictions specified under Chapter IV of these regulations are complied with
at all times.
(b)
Upon
breach of shareholding limits, intimate the same to the Board within 7 days.
(c)
In
case of listed depository, be guided by circular dated January 01, 2016 issued
by the Board.
SCHEDULE 3
THIRD SCHEDULE
Part-A
Securities and
Exchange Board of India (Depositories and Participants) Regulations, 2018
[See regulation
36]
CODE OF CONDUCT
FOR PARTICIPANTS
1.
A
participant shall make all efforts to protect the interests of investors.
2.
A
participant shall always endeavour to-
(a)
render
the best possible advice to the clients having regard to the clients needs and
the environments and his own professional skills;
(b)
ensure
that all professional dealings are effected in a prompt, effective and
efficient manner;
(c)
inquiries
from investors are adequately dealt with;
(d)
grievances
of investors are redressed without any delay.
3.
A
participant shall maintain high standards of integrity in all its dealings with
its clients and other intermediaries, in the conduct of its business.
4.
A
participant shall be prompt and diligent in opening of a beneficial owner
account, dispatch of the dematerialisation request form, rematerialisation
request form and execution of debit instruction slip and in all the other
activities undertaken by him on behalf of the beneficial owners.
5.
A
participant shall endeavour to resolve all the complaints against it or in
respect of the activities carried out by it as quickly as possible, and not
later than one month of receipt.
6.
A
participant shall not increase charges/fees for the services rendered without
proper advance notice to the beneficial owners.
7.
A
participant shall not indulge in any unfair competition, which is likely to
harm the interests of other participants or investors or is likely to place
such other participants in a disadvantageous position while competing for or
executing any assignment.
8.
A
participant shall not make any exaggerated statement whether oral or written to
the clients either about its qualifications or capability to render certain
services or about its achievements in regard to services rendered to other
clients.
9.
A
participant shall not divulge to other clients, press or any other person any
information about its clients which has come to its knowledge except with the
approval/authorisation of the clients or when it is required to disclose the
information under the requirements of any Act, Rules or Regulations.
10.
A
participant shall co-operate with the Board as and when required.
11.
A
participant shall maintain the required level of knowledge and competency and
abide by the provisions of the Act, Rules, Regulations and circulars and
directions issued by the Board.
12.
The
participant shall also comply with the award of the Ombudsman passed under the
Securities and Exchange Board of India (Ombudsman) Regulations, 2003.
13.
A
participant shall not make any untrue statement or suppress any material fact
in any documents, reports, papers or information furnished to the Board.
14.
A
participant shall not neglect or fail or refuse to submit to the Board or other
agencies with which it is registered, such books, documents, correspondence,
and papers or any part thereof as may be demanded/requested from time to time.
15.
A
participant shall ensure that the Board is promptly informed about any action,
legal proceedings, etc., initiated against it in respect of material breach or
non-compliance by it, of any law, Rules, regulations, directions of the Board
or of any other regulatory body.
16.
A
participant shall maintain proper inward system for all types of mail received
in all forms.
17.
A
participant shall follow the maker-Checker concept in all of its activities to
ensure the accuracy of the data and as a mechanism to check unauthorised
transaction.
18.
A
participant shall take adequate and necessary steps to ensure that continuity
in data and record keeping is maintained and that the data or records are not
lost or destroyed. It shall also ensure that for electronic records and data,
up-to-date back up is always available with it.
19.
A
participant shall provide adequate freedom and powers to its compliance officer
for the effective discharge of his duties.
20.
A
participant shall ensure that it has satisfactory internal control procedures
in place as well as adequate financial and operational capabilities which can
be reasonably expected to take care of any losses arising due to theft, fraud
and other dishonest acts, professional misconduct or omissions.
21.
A
participant shall be responsible for the acts or omissions of its employees and
agents in respect of the conduct of its business.
22.
A
participant shall ensure that the senior management, particularly decision
makers have access to all relevant information about the business on a timely
basis.
23.
A
participant shall ensure that good corporate policies and corporate governance
are in place.
Part-B
Securities and
Exchange Board of India (Depositories and Participants) Regulations, 2018
[See regulation
27]
CODE OF CONDUCT
FOR DIRECTORS
i.
Meetings
and minutes
Every director of the depository
shall:
a)
not
participate in discussions on any subject matter in which any conflict of
interest exists or arises, whether pecuniary or otherwise, and in such cases
the same shall be disclosed and recorded in the minutes of the meeting;
b)
not
encourage the circulation of agenda papers during the meeting, unless
circumstances so require;
c)
offer
their comments on the draft minutes and ensure that the same are incorporated
in the final minutes;
d)
insist
on the minutes of the previous meeting being placed for approval in subsequent
meeting;
e)
endeavour
to have the date of next meeting fixed at each governing board meeting in
consultation with other members of the governing board;
f)
endeavour
that in case all the items of the agenda of a meeting were not covered for want
of time, the next meeting is held within fifteen days for considering the
remaining items.
ii.
Code
of Conduct for the public interest directors
a)
In
addition to the conditions stated in Para (i) above, public interest directors
of the depository shall, endeavour to attend all the governing board meetings
and they shall be liable to vacate office if they remain absent for three
consecutive meetings of the governing board or do not attend seventy five
percent of the total meetings of the governing board in a calendar year.
b)
Public
interest directors shall meet separately, at least once in six months to
exchange views on critical issues.
iii.
Strategic
planning
Every director of the depository
shall:
a)
participate
in the formulation and execution of strategies in the best interest of the
depository and contribute towards pro-active decision making at the governing
board level;
b)
give
benefit of their experience and expertise to the depository and provide assistance
in strategic planning and execution of decisions.
iv.
Regulatory
compliances
Every director of the depository
shall:
a)
endeavour
to ensure that the depository abides by all the provisions of the Securities
and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992, Depositories Act, 1996, rules and
regulations framed thereunder and the circulars, directions issued by the Board
from time to time;
b)
endeavour
compliance at all levels so that the regulatory system does not suffer any
breaches;
c)
endeavour
to ensure that the depository takes commensurate steps to honour the time limit
prescribed by Board for corrective action;
d)
not
support any decision in the meeting of the governing board which may adversely
affect the interest of investors and shall report forthwith any such decision
to the Board.
v.
General
responsibility
Every director of the depository
shall:
a)
place
priority for redressing investor grievances;
b)
endeavour
to analyze and administer the depository issues with professional competence,
fairness, impartiality, efficiency and effectiveness;
c)
submit
the necessary disclosures/statement of holdings/dealings in securities as
required by the depository from time to time as per their bye-laws or Articles
of Association;
d)
unless
otherwise required by law, maintain confidentiality and shall not
divulge/disclose any information obtained in the discharge of their duty and no
such information shall be used for personal gains;
e)
maintain
the highest standards of personal integrity, truthfulness, honesty and
fortitude in discharge of their duties in order to inspire public confidence
and shall not engage in acts discreditable to their responsibilities;
f)
perform
their duties in an independent and objective manner and avoid activities that
may impair, or may appear to impair, their independence or objectivity or
official duties;
g)
perform
their duties with a positive attitude and constructively support open
communication, creativity, dedication, and compassion;
h)
not
engage in any act involving moral turpitude, dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or
misrepresentation or any other act prejudicial to the administration of the
depository.
Part-C
Securities and
Exchange Board of India (Depositories and Participants) Regulations, 2018
[See regulation
27]
CODE OF ETHICS
FOR DIRECTORS AND KEY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL
The Code of Ethics for directors and key management
personnel of the depository, is aimed at improving the professional and ethical
standards in the functioning of depository thereby creating better investor
confidence in the integrity of the securities market.
i.
Objectives
and underlying principles
The Code of Ethics for directors and
key management personnel of the depository seeks to establish a minimum level
of business/ professional ethics to be followed by these directors and key
management personnel, towards establishing a fair and transparent marketplace.
The Code of Ethics is based on the following fundamental principles:
Fairness and transparency in dealing
with matters relating to the depository and the investors.
Compliance with all laws / rules /
regulations laid down by regulatory agencies / depositories.
Exercising due diligence in the
performance of duties.
Avoidance of conflict of interest
between self-interest of directors/ key management personnel and interests of
depository and investors.
ii.
Regulatory
Oversight Committee
For overseeing implementation of
this Code, a regulatory oversight committee shall be constituted by every
depository under the governing board.
iii.
General
standards
a)
Directors
and key management personnel shall endeavour to promote greater awareness and
understanding of ethical responsibilities.
b)
Directors
and key management personnel, in the conduct of their business shall observe
high standards of commercial honour and just and equitable principles of trade.
c)
The
conduct of directors and key management personnel in business life should be
exemplary.
d)
Directors
and key management personnel shall not use their position to give/get favours
to/from the executive or administrative staff of the depository, suppliers of
the depository, or any issuer company admitted to the depository.
e)
Directors
and key management personnel shall not commit any act which will put the
reputation of the depository, in jeopardy.
f)
Directors,
committee members and key management personnel of the depository, shall comply
with the provisions of all applicable law to the securities market.
iv.
Disclosure
of dealings in securities by key management personnel of the depository
a)
Key
management personnel of the depository shall disclose on a periodic basis as
determined by the depository (which could be monthly), all their dealings in
securities, directly or indirectly, to the governing board/regulatory oversight
committee/ Compliance Officer.
b)
The
dealings in securities shall also be subject to trading restrictions for
securities about which key management personnel in the depository may have
non-public price sensitive information.
Requirement laid down under Securities
and Exchange Board of India (Prohibition of Insider Trading) Regulations, 2015
may be referred in this regard.
c)
All
transactions must be of an investment nature and not speculative in nature.
Towards this end, all securities purchased must be held for a minimum period of
60 days before they are sold.
However, in specific/exceptional circumstances, sale can be
effected anytime by obtaining preclearance from the Compliance Officer to waive
this condition after recording in writing his satisfaction in this regard.
Explanation: securities for the purpose of this Code shall
not include units of mutual fund.
v.
Disclosure
of dealings in securities by directors of the depository
a)
All
transactions in securities by the directors and their relatives shall be
disclosed to the governing board of the depository.
b)
All
directors shall also disclose the trading conducted by firms/corporate entities
in which they hold twenty percent or more beneficial interest or hold a
controlling interest, to the regulatory oversight committee.
c)
Directors
who are Govt. of India nominees or nominees of Govt. of India statutory bodies
or financial institutions and are governed by their own codes shall be exempt
from this requirement.
vi.
Avoidance
of conflict of interest
a)
No
director of the governing board or member of any committee of the depository
shall participate in any decision making/adjudication in respect of any person
/matter in which he is in any way, directly or indirectly, concerned or
interested.
b)
Whether
there is any conflict of interest or not in a matter, shall be decided by the
governing board.
vii.
Disclosures
of beneficial interest
All directors and key management
personnel shall disclose to the governing board, upon assuming office and
during their tenure in office, whenever the following arises:-
a)
any
fiduciary relationship of self and family members and directorship/partnership
of self and family members in any depository participant or registrar and
transfer agent;
b)
shareholding,
in cases where the shareholding of the director key management personnel,
directly or through his family exceeds five percent in any listed company or in
other entities related to the securities markets;
c)
any
other business interests.
viii.
Role
of the Chairman and directors in the day to day functioning of the depository
a)
The
Chairman and directors shall not interfere in the day to day functioning of the
depository and shall limit their role to decision making on policy issues and
to issues as the governing board may decide.
b)
The
Chairman and directors shall abstain from influencing the employees of the
depository in conducting their day to day activities.
c)
The
Chairman and directors shall not be directly involved in the function of
appointment and promotion of employees unless specifically so decided by the
governing board.
ix.
Access
to information
a)
Directors
shall call for information only as part of specific committees or as may be
authorised by the governing board.
b)
There
shall be prescribed channels through which information shall move and further
there shall be audit trail of the same. Any retrieval of confidential
documents/ information shall be properly recorded.
c)
All
such information, especially which is non-public and price sensitive, shall be
kept confidential and not be used for any personal consideration/ gain.
d)
Any
information relating to the business/operations of the depository, which may
come to the knowledge of directors/ key management personnel during performance
of their duties shall be held in strict confidence, shall not be divulged to
any third party and shall not be used in any manner except for the performance
of their duties.
x.
Misuse
of position
Directors/committee members shall
not use their position to obtain business or any pecuniary benefit in the
organization for themselves or family members.
xi.
Regulatory
oversight committee to lay down procedures
a)
The
regulatory oversight committee shall lay down procedures for the implementation
of the Code and prescribe reporting formats for the disclosures required under
the Code.
b)
The
Compliance Officer shall execute the requirements laid down by the regulatory
oversight committee.
While the objective of this Code is
to enhance the level of market integrity and investor confidence, it is
emphasized that a written Code of ethics may not completely guarantee adherence
to high ethical standards. This can be accomplished only if directors and key
management personnel of the depository commit themselves to the task of
enhancing the fairness and integrity of the system in letter and spirit.
Part-D
Securities and
Exchange Board of India (Depositories and Participants) Regulations, 2018
[See regulation
17]
CODE OF CONDUCT
FOR DEPOSITORIES
1.
A
depository shall always abide by the provisions of the Act, Depositories Act,
1996, Rules, Regulations, circulars, guidelines and any other directions issued
by the Board.
2.
A
depository shall take appropriate measures towards investor protection and
education of investors.
3.
A
depository shall treat all its applicants/participants in a fair and
transparent manner.
4.
A
depository shall promptly inform the Board of violations of the provisions of
the Act, Depositories Act, the rules, the regulations, circulars, guidelines or
any other directions by any of its participants, issuer or issuers agent.
5.
A
depository shall take a proactive and responsible attitude towards safeguarding
the interests of investors, integrity of the depository system and the
securities market.
6.
A
depository shall make endeavors for introduction of best business practices
amongst itself and its participants.
7.
A
depository shall act in utmost good faith and shall avoid conflict of interest
in the conduct of its functions.
8.
A
depository shall not indulge in unfair competition, which is likely to harm the
interests of any other depository, participants or investors or is likely to
place them in a disadvantageous position while competing for or executing any
assignment.
9.
A
depository shall be responsible for the acts or omissions of its employees in
respect of the conduct of its business.
10.
A
depository shall monitor the compliance of the rules and regulations by the
participants and shall further ensure that their conduct is in a manner that
will safeguard the interest of investors and the securities market.
SCHEDULE 4
FOURTH SCHEDULE
Securities and
Exchange Board of India (Depositories and Participants) Regulations, 2018
[See regulation
29]
MEASUSRES TO
ENSURE AUTONOMY OF REGULATORY DEPARTMENTS
In order to ensure the segregation of regulatory
departments, every depository shall adopt a "Chinese Wall" policy
which separates the regulatory departments of the depository from the other
departments. The employees in the regulatory departments shall not communicate
any information concerning regulatory activity to any one in other departments.
The employees in regulatory areas may be physically segregated from employees
in other departments including with respect to access controls. In exceptional
circumstances employees from other departments may be given confidential
information on "need to know" basis, under intimation to the
Compliance Officer. For the purposes of the above, "regulatory areas"
shall mean those departments of a depository which are mandated by law or those
entrusted with regulatory powers and duties, and may include departments performing
the following functions:
(i)
risk
management;
(ii)
surveillance;
(iii)
participant
registration;
(iv)
Issuer/
securities admission;
(v)
compliance;
(vi)
inspection;
(vii)
enforcement;
(viii)
arbitration;
(ix)
investor
protection;
(x)
investor
services.