Definition of Security Market: Legal Environment

Introduction

Many companies were set up as joint-stock enterprises with liability limited by shares. A vast number of businessmen in major cities purchased these shares and trading started in them early in the 19th century. In those days, although many of these companies were financed by the issue of shares to the public, they mainly depended on the joint-stock British banks in India and borrowers from abroad. British enterprise and the British Government have thus helped the emergence of the securities markets in India. The corporate securities have come to have a market first. So far as the Government securities are concerned, the British India Government borrowed mostly in London by issue of Sterling consols. Only later in the 19th century the Government issued treasury bills and Government securities in rupees. This led to the emergence of the Government securities market also in India.

What Is Securities Market?

According to Dr. V A Avadhani, Securities markets are markets in financial assets or instruments and these are represented as I.O.Us (I owe you) in financial form. These are issued by business organizations, corporate units and the Governments, Central or State. Public sector undertakings also issue these securities. These securities are used to finance their investment and current expenditure. These are thus sources of funds to the issuers. There are different types of business organizations in India, namely, partnership firms, cooperative societies, private and public limited companies and joint and public sector, organizations etc. the more frequently organized method is the company, registered under the Indian Companies Act 1956. Under this Act, there are three types of companies: (a) companies limited by guarantee; (b) companies which are private limited companies – limited by shares paid up; and (c) companies private limited companies can have 50 members and their shares are not transferable freely. These companies reserve the right to refuse any transfer of shares and as such trading in them is restricted. Due to these inhibitive features, private limited companies do not have easy access to the securities markets. Only public limited companies are largely popular as they can raise funds from the public through the issue of shares. The methods of raising funds used by the corporate sector are to issue securities, either ownership instruments or debt instruments.

What Are Securities?

Securities are claims on money and are like promissory notes or I.O.U. Securities are a source of funds for companies, Govt. etc. There are two types of sources of funds namely internal and external and securities emerge when funds are raised from external sources.

The external sources of funds of the companies are as follows:

Long-Term Funds

Ownership capital – equity and preference capital, and Non-voting Shares.

Debt Capital – debentures and long-term borrowings in the form of deposits from public or credit limits or advances from banks and financial institutions, etc.

Short-term Funds

Borrowings from banks, and other corporate

Trade credits and suppliers’ credits, etc.

Of the above sources, the most popular are those which are tradable and transferable. They have a market and their liquidity is ensured, as in the case of equity shares, preference shares, debentures and bonds. Of these the ownership instruments, particularly the equity shares, are generally the most liquid as they are not only tradable in the securities markets but also enjoy the prospects of capital appreciation, in addition to dividends. The market for these has thus grown much faster than for others.

Characteristics of Securities

The major characteristics of securities are their transferability and marketability. These help the process of trading and investment in them. Under the Indian Companies Act, Sections 82 and 111 deal with the transfer of shares. In the case of public limited companies, the objective of the Companies Act as also of the Listing Agreement with the Stock Exchanges is to ensure free and unfettered transfer of shares. Under Section 82 of the Companies Act, shares are treated as any movable property.

As any right to property, these are freely transferable. By one amendment in 1985, Section 22(a) of the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act has denied the right to refuse to transfer shares by a public limited company except on technical grounds. The other grounds on which the transfer can be refused are specifically laid down under the Act and the company has to specify the reasons for such refusal to transfer and reference has to be made to the Company Law Board whose decision to refuse or not to refuse the transfer of shares will be final. Thus the essential characteristic of transferability of shares is well preserved which gives them the market which in turn extends liquidity to these shares. This has led to the emergence of securities markets in India.

Primary Issues and Derivative Securities

Primary issues are those issued to the public by the companies, Governments and financial institutions. Derivative issues are those which are based on the original primary issues. There are a number of derivative instruments which are used to generate a market for the primary issues. Thus in many developed markets abroad, these are warrants, options, futures, index linked instruments etc. which have well-established markets and they are based on some primary instruments. In India, options are now permitted and some form of futures trading exists in Group A securities on the stock exchanges as they are permitted to be carried forward from settlement to settlement without taking delivery of shares. Since January 1995, options and futures have been permitted and futures market is now developing under strict control of SEBI.

More recently, new instruments have been developed in India, namely, warrants, Zero coupon bonds, conversion options, rights options etc. But in many cases these are not well developed and secondary markets for these instruments do not exist and trading does not take place as in the case of listed shares and particularly those on the specified group (Group A) of stock exchanges.

Reference is made in the subsequent chapters to many new instruments, which are introduced both in the capital market and the money market in India. Besides, the RBI has also recently permitted the securitisation of book debts of banks and financial institutions in the sense that the debit balances on companies’ accounts can be transferred to other banks and financial institutions which are willing to discount them or purchase them at a price but the market in many new instruments is yet to be developed in India.

To understand the Security market operations fully it is always better to understand the relevant acts, and the guidelines of the SEBI, Institutional Investments, etc. so for the purpose of the students of MBA, the relevant materials have been collected from the different books written by the eminent authors, web sites and other journals etc., and presented and reproduced here as the study material. Students please note it is not book but it is only study material and so they are advised to go through the prescribed text books. The Securities and Exchange Board of India Act 1992 with its relevant Amendment Act 1995 is given in the Part I, The Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956 in Part II, Companies Act 1956 in Part – III, Foreign Institutional Investments In India (FII) in Part IV and the Guidelines in Part V.

Part I

Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992

[15 of 1992]

[As Amended by Securities Laws (Amendment) Act, 1995]

An Act to provide for the establishment of a Board to protect the interests of investors in securities and to promote the development of, and to regulate, the securities market and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

BE it enacted by Parliament in the Forty-third Year of the Republic of India as follows:-

Preliminary

Short title, extent and commencement

This Act may be called the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992.

It extends to the whole of India.

It shall be deemed to have come into force on the 30th day of January, 1992.

Definitions

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires-

“Board” means the Securities and Exchange Board of India established under section 3.

“Chairman” means the Chairman of the Board.

“existing Securities and Exchange Board” means the Securities and Exchange Board of India constituted under the Resolution of the Government of India in the Department of Economic Affairs No. 1(44)SE/86, dated the 12th day of April, 1988;

“Fund” means the Fund constituted under section 14.

“member” means a member of the Board and includes the Chairman;

“notification” means a notification published in the Official Gazette;

“prescribed” means prescribed by rules made under this Act;

“regulations” means the regulations made by the Board under this Act;

“securities” has the meaning assigned to it in section 2 of the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956 (42 of 1956).

Establishment of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)

With effect from such date as the Central Government may, be notification, appoint, there shall be established, for the purposes of this Act, a Board by the name of the Securities and Exchange Board of India. The Board shall be a body corporate by the name aforesaid, having perpetual succession and a common seal, with power subject to the provisions of this Act, to acquire, hold and dispose of property, both movable and immovable, and to contract, and shall, by the said name, sue or be sued. The head office of the Board shall be at Bombay. The Board may establish offices at other places in India.

Management of the Board

The Board shall consist of the following members, namely:-

A Chairman;

Two members from amongst the officials of the Ministries of the Central Government dealing with Finance and Law;

One member from amongst the officials of the Reserve Bank of India constituted under section 3 of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 (2 of 1934);

Two other members, to be appointed by the Central Government.

The general superintendence, direction and management of the affairs of the Board shall vest in a Board of members, which may exercise all powers and do all acts and things which may be exercised or done by the Board. Save as otherwise determined by regulations, the Chairman shall also have powers of general superintendence and direction of the affairs of the Board and may also exercise all powers and do all acts and things which may be exercised or done by that Board. The Chairman and members referred to in clauses (a) and (d) of subsection (1) shall be appointed by the Central Government and the members referred to in clauses (b) and (c) of that sub-section shall be nominated by the Central Government and the Reserve Bank of India respectively.

The Chairman and the other members referred to in clauses (a) and (d) of sub-section (1) shall be persons of ability, integrity and standing who have shown capacity in dealing with problems relating to securities market or have special knowledge or experience of law, finance, economics, accountancy, administration or in any other discipline which, in the opinion of the Central Government, shall be useful to the Board.

Term of office and conditions of service of Chairman and members of the Board

The term of office and other conditions of service of the Chairman and the members referred to in clause (d) of sub-section (1) of section 4 shall be such as may be prescribed. Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), the Central Government shall have the right to terminate the services of the Chairman or a member appointed under clause

of sub-section (1) of section 4, at any time before the expiry of the period prescribed under sub-section (1), by giving him notice of not less than three months in writing or three months’ salary and allowances in lieu thereof, and the Chairman or a member, as the case may be, shall also have the right to relinquish his office, at any time before the expiry of the period prescribed under sub-section (1), by giving to the Central Government notice of not less than three months in writing.

Removal of member from office

The Central Government shall remove a member from office if he-

Is, or at any time has been, adjudicated as insolvent:-

Is of unsound mind and stands so declared by a competent court

Has been convicted of an offence which, in the opinion of the Central Government, involves a moral turpitude;

Has, in the opinion of the Central Government, so abused his position as to render his continuation in office detrimental to the public interest; Provided that no member shall be removed under this clause unless he has given a reasonable opportunity of being heard in the matter.

Meetings

The Board shall meet at such times and places, and shall observe such rules of procedure in regard to the transaction of business at its meetings (including quorum at such meetings) as may be provided by regulations. The Chairman or, if for any reason, he is unable to attend a meeting of the Board, any other member chosen by the members present from amongst themselves at the meeting shall preside at the meeting. All questions which come up before any meeting of the Board shall be decided by a majority votes of the members present and voting, and, in the event of an equality of votes, the Chairman, or in his absence, the person presiding, shall have a second or casting vote.

Vacancies, etc., not to invalidate proceedings of Board

No act or proceeding of the Board shall be invalid merely by reason of —

Any vacancy in, or any defect in the constitution of, the Board; or

Any defect in the appointment of a person acting as a member of the Board; or

Any irregularity in the procedure of the Board not affecting the merits of the case.

Officers and Employees of the Board

The Board may appoint such other officers and employees as it considers necessary for the efficient discharge of its functions under this Act. The term and other conditions of service of officers and employees of the Board appointed under sub-section (1) shall be such as may be determined by regulations.

Powers and Functions

Functions of Board

Subject to the provisions of this Act, it shall be the duty of the Board to protect the interests of investors in securities and to promote the development of, and to regulate the securities market, by such measures as it thinks fit.

Regulating the business in stock exchanges and any other securities markets;

Registering and regulating the working of stock-brokers, sub-brokers, share transfer agents, bankers to an issue, trustees of trust deeds, registrars to an issue, merchant bankers, underwriters, portfolio managers, investment advisers and such other intermediaries who may be associated with securities markets.

Registering and regulating the working of venture capital funds and collective investment schemes including mutual funds;
Promoting and regulating self-regulatory organisations;

Prohibiting fraudulent and unfair trade practices relating to securities markets; Promoting investors’ education and training of intermediaries of securities markets;

Prohibiting insider trading in securities;

Regulating substantial acquisition of shares and take-over of companies;

Calling for information from, undertaking inspection, conducting inquiries and audits of the stock exchanges, mutual funds, other persons associated with the securities market intermediaries and self-regulatory organisations in the securities market;

Performing such functions and exercising such powers under the provisions of the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956 (42 of 1956), as may be delegated to it by the Central Government;

Levying fees or other charges for carrying out the purposes of this section;

Conducting research for the above purposes;

Performing such other functions as may be prescribed.

[Matters to be Disclosed by the Companies]

Without prejudice to the provisions of the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956), the Board may, for the protection of investors, specify, by regulations,-

The matters relating to issue of capital, transfer of securities and other matters incidental thereto; and

The manner in which such matters, shall be disclosed by the companies.\

Power to Issue Directions

Save as otherwise provided in section 11, if after making or causing to be made an enquiry, the Board is satisfied that it is necessary—

In the interest of investors, or orderly development of securities market; or

To prevent the affairs of any intermediary or other persons referred to in section 12 being conducted in a manner detrimental to the interests of investors or securities market;

Or

To secure the proper management of any such intermediary or person, it may issue such directions,—

To any person or class of persons referred to in section 12, or associated with the securities market; or

To any company in respect of matters specified in section 11 A, as may be appropriate in the interests of investors in securities and the securities market.

Registration Certificate

Registration of stock-brokers, sub-brokers, share transfer agents, etc.

No stock-broker, sub-broker, share transfer agent, banker to an issue, trustee of trust deed, registrar to an issue, merchant banker, underwriter, portfolio manager, investment adviser and such other intermediary who may be associated with securities market shall buy, sell or deal in securities except under, and in accordance with the conditions of a certificate of registration obtained from the Board in accordance with the regulations made under this Act:

Provided that a person buying or selling securities or otherwise dealing with the securities market as a stock-broker, sub-broker, share transfer agent banker to an issue, trustee of trust deed, registrar to an issue, merchant banker underwriter, portfolio manager, investment adviser and such other intermediary who may be associated with securities market immediately before the establishment of the Board for which no registration certificate was necessary prior to such establishment, may continue to do so for a period of three months from such establishment or, if he has made an application for such registration within the said period of three months, till the disposal of such application:

Provided that any person sponsoring or causing to be sponsored, carrying or causing to be carried on any venture capital funds or collective investment scheme operating in the securities market immediately before the commencement of the Securities Laws (Amendment) Act, 1995 for which no certificate of registration was required prior to such commencement, may continue to operate till such time regulations are made under clause

of sub-section (2) of section 30.]. Every application for registration shall be in such manner and on payment of such fees as may be determined by regulations. The Board may, by order, suspend or cancel a certificate of registration in such manner as may be determined by regulations:

Provided that no order under this sub-section shall be made unless the person concerned has been given a reasonable opportunity of being heard.

Finance, Accounts and Audit

Grants by the Central Government

The- Central Government may, after due appropriation made by Parliament by law in this behalf, make to the Board grants of such sums of money as that Government may think fit for being utilised for the purposes of this Act.

Fund

There shall be constituted a Fund to be called the Securities and Exchange Board of India General Fund and there shall be credited thereto— all grants, fees and charges received by the Board under this Act; all sums realised by way of penalties under this Act; and, all sums received by the Board from such other sources as may be decided upon by the Central Government. The Fund shall be applied for meeting— (a) the salaries, allowances and other remuneration of the members, officers and other employees of the Board; the expenses of the Board in the discharge of its functions under section 11; the expenses on objects and for purposes authorised by this Act.

Accounts and Audit

The Board shall maintain proper accounts and other relevant records and prepare an annual statement of accounts in such form as may be prescribed by the Central Government in consultation with the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India. The accounts of the Board shall be audited by the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India at such intervals as may be specified by him and any expenditure incurred in connection with such audit shall be payable by the Board to the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India. The Comptroller and Auditor-General of India and any other person appointed by him in connection with the audit of the accounts of the Board shall have the same rights and privileges and authority in connection with such audit as the Comptroller and Auditor-General generally has in connection with the audit of the Government accounts and, in particular, shall have the right to demand the production of books, accounts, connected vouchers and other documents and papers and to inspect any of the offices of the Board. The accounts of the Board as certified by the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India or any other person appointed by him in this behalf together with the audit report thereon shall be forwarded annually to the Central Government and that Government shall cause the same to be laid before each House of Parliament.

Penalties and Adjudication

Penalty for failure to furnish information, return, etc.

If any person, who is required under this Act or any rules or regulations made there under,—

To furnish any document, return or report to the Board, fails to furnish the same, he shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding one lakh and fifty thousand rupees for each such failure;

To file any return or furnish any information, books or other documents within the time specified therefore in the regulations, fails to file return or furnish the same within the time specified therefore in the regulations, he shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding five thousand rupees for every day during which such failure continues ;

To maintain books of account or records, fails to maintain the same, he shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding ten thousand rupees for every day during which the failure continues.

Penalty for failure by any person to enter into agreement with clients

If any person, who is registered as an intermediary and is required under this Act or any rules or regulations made there under to enter into an agreement with his client, fails to enter into such agreement, he shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding five lakh rupees for every such failure.

Penalty for Failure to Redress Investors’ Grievances

If any person, who is registered as an intermediary, after having been called upon by the Board in writing to redress the grievances of investors, fails to redress such grievances, he shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding ten thousand rupees for each such failure.

Penalty for certain defaults in case of mutual funds.

If any person, who is—

Required under this Act or any rules or regulations made there under to obtain a certificate of registration from the Board for sponsoring or carrying on any collective investment scheme, including mutual funds, sponsors or carries on any collective investment scheme, including mutual funds, without obtaining such certificate of registration, he shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding ten thousand rupees for each day during which he carries on any such collective investment scheme, including mutual funds, or ten lakh rupees, whichever is higher;

Registered with the Board as a collective investment scheme, including mutual funds, for sponsoring or carrying on any investment scheme, fails to comply with the terms and conditions of certificate of registration, he shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding ten thousand rupees for each day during which such failure continues or ten lakh rupees, whichever is higher;

Registered with the Board as a collective investment scheme, including mutual funds, fails to make an application for listing of its schemes as provided for in the regulations governing such listing, he shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding five thousand rupees for each day during which such failure continues or five lakh rupees, whichever is higher;

Registered as a collective investment scheme, including mutual funds, fails to despatch unit certificates of any scheme in the manner provided in the regulation governing such despatch, he shall be liable to a penalty and exceeding one thousand rupees for each day during which such failure continues;

Registered as a collective investment scheme, including mutual funds, fails to refund the application monies paid by the investors within the period specified in the regulations, he shall be liable to a penalty and exceeding one thousand rupees for each day during which such failure continues;

Registered as a collective investment scheme, including mutual funds, fails to invest money collected by such collective investment schemes in the manner or within the period specified in the regulations, he shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding five lakh rupees for each such failure.

Penalty for failure to observe rules and regulations by an asset management company

Where any asset management company of a mutual fund registered under this Act fails to comply with any of the regulations providing for restrictions on the activities of the asset management companies, such asset management company shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding five lakh rupees for each such failure.

Penalty for default in case of stock-brokers

If any person, who is registered as a stock-broker under this Act,—

Fails to issue contract notes in the form and manner specified by the stock exchange of which such broker is a member, he shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding five times the amount for which the contract note was required to be issued by that broker;

Fails to issue contract notes in the form and manner specified by the stock exchange of which such broker is a member, he shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding five times the amount for which the contract note was required to be issued by that broker;

Charges an amount of brokerage which is in excess of the brokerage specified in the regulations, he shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding five thousand rupees or five times the amount of brokerage charged in excess of the specified brokerage, whichever is higher.

Penalty for Insider Trading

If any insider who,—

Either on his own behalf or on behalf of any other person, deals in securities of a body corporate listed on any stock exchange on the basis of any unpublished price sensitive information; or

Communicates any unpublished price sensitive information to any person, with or without his request for such information except as required in the ordinary course of business or under any law; or

Counsels, or procures for any other person to deal in any securities of anybody corporate on the basis of unpublished price sensitive information, shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding five lakh rupees.

Penalty for non-disclosure of acquisition of shares and take-overs

If any person, who is required under this Act or any rules or regulations made there under, fails to—

Disclose the aggregate of a share holding in the body corporate before he acquires any shares of that body corporate; or

Make a public announcement to acquire shares at a minimum price, he shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding five lakh rupees.

Power to adjudicate

For the purpose of adjudging under sections 15A, 15B, 15C, 15D, 15E, 15F, 15G and 15H, the Board shall appoint any officer not below the rank of a Division Chief to be an adjudicating officer for holding an inquiry in the prescribed manner after giving any person concerned a reasonable opportunity of being heard for the purpose of imposing any penalty.

While holding an inquiry the adjudicating officer shall have power to summon and enforce the attendance of any person acquainted with the facts and circumstances of the case to give evidence or to produce any document which in the opinion of the adjudicating officer, may be useful for or relevant to the subject matter of the inquiry and if, on such inquiry, he is satisfied that the person has failed to comply with the provisions of any of the sections specified in sub-section (1), he may impose such penalty as he thinks fit in accordance with the provisions of any of those sections.

Factors to be taken into account by the adjudicating officer.

While adjudging the quantum of penalty under section 15-1, the adjudicating officer shall have due regard to the following factors, namely:—

The amount of disproportionate gain or unfair advantage, wherever quantifiable, made as a result of the default;

The amount of loss caused to an investor or group of investors as a result of the default;

The repetitive nature of the default.

Establishment of Securities Appellate Tribunals

The Central Government shall by notification, establish one or more Appellate Tribunals to be known as the Securities Appellate Tribunal to exercise the jurisdiction, powers and authority conferred on such Tribunal by or under this Act.. The Central Government shall also specify in the notification referred to in sub-section (1) the matters and places in relation to which the Securities Appellate Tribunal may exercise jurisdiction.

Composition of Securities Appellate Tribunal

A Securities Appellate Tribunal shall consist of one person only (hereinafter referred to as the Presiding Officer of the Securities Appellate Tribunal) to be appointed, by notification, by the Central Government.

Qualifications for appointment as Presiding Officer of the Securities Appellate Tribunal

A person shall not be qualified for appointment as the Presiding Officer of a Securities Appellate Tribunal unless he—

Is, or has been, or is qualified to be, a Judge of a High Court; or

Has been a member of the Indian Legal Service and has held a post in Grade I of that Service for at least three years; or

Has held off ice as the Presiding Officer of a Tribunal for at least three years:

Term of Office

The Presiding Officer of a Securities Appellate Tribunal shall hold off ice for a term of five years from the date on which he enters upon his off ice or until he attains the age of sixty-five years, whichever is earlier.

Salary and allowances and other terms and conditions of service of Presiding Officers

The salary and allowances payable to and the other terms and conditions of service including pension, gratuity and other retirement benefits of, the Presiding Officer of a Securities Appellate Tribunal shall be such as may be prescribed:

Provided that neither the salary and allowances nor the other terms and conditions of service of the said Presiding. Officers shall be varied to their disadvantage after appointment.

Filling up of Vacancies

If, for reason other than temporary absence, any vacancy occurs in the office of the Presiding Officer of a Securities Appellate Tribunal, then the Central Government shall appoint another person in accordance with the provisions of this Act to fill the vacancy and the proceedings may be continued before the Securities Appellate Tribunal from the stage at which the vacancy is filled.

Resignation and Removal

The Presiding Officer of a Securities Appellate Tribunal may, by notice in writing under his hand addressed to the Central Government, resign his office:

Provided that the said Presiding Officer shall, unless he is permitted by the Central Government to relinquish his office sooner, continue to hold office until the expiry of three months from the date of receipt of such notice or until a person duly appointed as his successor enters upon his office or until the expiry of his term of office, whichever is the earliest. The Presiding Officer of a Securities Appellate Tribunal shall not be removed from his office except by an order by the Central Government on the ground of proved misbehaviour or incapacity after an inquiry made by a Judge of the Supreme Court, in which the Presiding Officer concerned has been informed of the charges against him and given a reasonable opportunity of being heard in respect of these charges.

The Central Government may, by rules, regulate the procedure for the investigation of misbehaviour or incapacity of the aforesaid Presiding Officer.

Orders constituting Appellate Tribunal to be final and not to invalidate its proceedings

No order of the Central Government appointing any person as the Presiding Officer of a Securities Appellate Tribunal shall be called in question in any manner, and no act or proceeding before a Securities Appellate Tribunal shall be called in question in any manner on the ground merely of any defect in the constitution of a Securities Appellate Tribunal

Staff of the Securities Appellate Tribunal

The Central Government shall provide the Securities Appellate Tribunal with such officers and employees as that Government may think fit. The officers and employees of the Securities Appellate Tribunal shall discharge their functions under general superintendence of the Presiding Officer. The salaries and allowances and other conditions of service of the officers and employees of the Securities Appellate Tribunal shall be such as may be prescribed.

Appeal to the Securities Appellate Tribunal

Any person aggrieved by an order made by an Adjudicating Officer under this Act, may prefer an appeal to a Securities Appellate Tribunal having jurisdiction in the matter.

No appeal shall lie to the Securities Appellate Tribunal from an order made by an Adjudicating Officer with the consent of the parties. Every appeal under sub-section (1) shall be filed within a period of forty-five days from the date, on which a copy of the order made, by the Adjudicating Officer is received by him and it shall be in such form and be accompanied by such fee as may be prescribed:

Provided that the Securities Appellate Tribunal may entertain an appeal after the expiry of the said period of forty-five days if it is satisfied that there was sufficient cause for not filing it within that period.

On receipt of an appeal under sub-section (I), the Securities Appellate Tribunal may, after giving the parties to the appeal, an opportunity of being heard, pass such orders thereon as it thinks fit, confirming, modifying or setting aside the order appealed against. The Securities Appellate Tribunal shall send a copy of every order made by it to the parties to the appeal and to the concerned Adjudicating Officer. The appeal filed before the Securities Appellate Tribunal under sub-section (1) shall be dealt with by it as expeditiously as possible and endeavour shall be made by it to dispose of the appeal finally within six months from the date of receipt of the appeal

Procedure and powers of the Securities Appellate Tribunal

The Securities Appellate Tribunal shall not be bound by the procedure laid down by the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (5 of 1908), but shall be guided by the principles of natural justice and, subject to the other provisions of this Act and of any rules, the Securities Appellate Tribunal shall have powers to regulate their own procedure including the places at which they shall have their sittings. The Securities Appellate Tribunal shall have, for the purposes of discharging their functions under this Act, the same powers as are vested in a civil court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (5 of 1908), while trying a suit, in respect of the following matters, namely:—

Summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person and examining him on oath;

Requiring the discovery and production of documents;

Receiving evidence on affidavits;

Issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses or documents;

Reviewing its decisions;

Dismissing an application for default or deciding it ex pane;

Setting aside any order of dismissal of any application for default orany order passed by it ex parte;

Any other matter which may be prescribed.

Every proceedings before the Securities Appellate Tribunal shall be deemed to be a judicial proceeding within the meaning of sections 193 and 228, and for the purposes of section 196 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860), and the Securities Appellate Tribunal shall be deemed to be a civil court for all the purposes of section 195 and Chapter XXVI of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974).

Miscellaneous

Power of Central Government to Issue Directions

Without prejudice to the foregoing provisions of this Act, the Board shall, in exercise of its powers or the performance of its functions under this Act, be bound by such directions on questions of policy as the Central Government may give in writing to it from time to time:

Provided that the Board shall, as far as practicable, be given an opportunity to express its views before any direction is given under this sub-section. (2) The decision of the Central Government whether a question is one of polio or not shall be final.

Power of Central Government to supersede the Board

If at any time the Central Government is of opinion—

That on account of grave emergency, the Board is unable to discharge the functions and duties imposed on it by or under the provisions of this Act; or

That the Board has persistently made default in complying with any direction issued by the Central Government under this Act or in the discharge of the functions and duties imposed on it by or under the provisions of this Act and as a result of provisions of this Act and as a result of such default the financial position of the Board or the administration of the Board has deteriorated; or

That circumstances exist which render it necessary in the public interest so to do, the Central Government may, by notification, supersede the Board for such period, not exceeding six months, as may be specified in the notification.

Upon the publication of a notification under sub-section (1) superseding the Board,—

All the members shall, as from the date of supersession, vacate their offices as such;

All the powers, functions and duties which may, by or under the provisions of this Act, be exercised or discharged by or on behalf of the Board, shall until the Board is reconstituted under sub-section (3), be exercised and discharged by such person or persons as the Central Government may direct; and

All property owned or controlled by the Board shall, until the Board is reconstituted under sub-section (3), vest in the Central Government.

On the expiration of the period of supersession specified in the notification issued under sub-section (1), the Central Government may reconstitute the Board by a fresh appointment and in such case any person or persons who vacated their offices under clause

Of sub-section (2), shall not be deemed disqualified for appointment:

Provided that the Central Government may, at any time, before the expiration of the period of supersession, take action under this sub-section.

The Central Government shall cause a notification issued under subsection (1) and a full report of any action taken under this section and the circumstances leading to such action to be laid before each House of Parliament at the earliest.

Returns and Reports

The Board shall furnish to the Central Government at such time and in such form and manner as may be prescribed or as the Central Government may direct, such returns and statements and such particulars in regard to any proposed or existing programme for the promotion and development of the securities market, as the Central Government may, from time to time, require.

Without prejudice to the provisions of sub-section (1), the Board shall, within [ninety] days after the end of each financial year, submit to the Central Government a report in such form, as may be prescribed, giving a true and full account of its activities, policy and programmes during the previous financial year.

A copy of the report received under sub-section (2) shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is received, before each House of Parliament.

Powers of Recognised Stock Exchange

A recognised stock exchange may make rules or amend any rules made by it to provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:—

The restriction of voting right of members only in respect of any matter placed before the stock exchange at any meeting;

The regulation of voting right in respect of any matter placed before the stock exchange at any meeting so that each member may be entitled to have one vote only, irrespective of his share of the paid-up equity capital of the stock exchange;

The restriction on the right of a member to appoint another person as his proxy to attend and vote at a meeting of the stock exchange;

Such incidental, consequential and supplementary matters as may be necessary to give effect to any of the matters specified above in clauses (1), (2), and (3).

Notice that, the rules so made or amended must be approved by the Central Government.

The Central Government must then publish them in its Official Gazette.

Power to make Bye-Laws

Any recognised stock exchange may, subject to the previous approval of the Central Government, make bye-Jaws for the regulation and control of contracts.

In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such bye-laws may provide for—

The opening and closing of markets and the regulation of the hours of trade;

A clearing house for -the periodical settlement of contracts and differences thereunder, the delivery of and payment for securities, the passing on of delivery orders and the regulation and maintenance of such clearing house;

The number and classes of contracts in respect of which settlements shall be made or differences paid through the clearing house;

The regulation or prohibition of blank transfers;

The regulation or prohibition of budlas or carry-over facilities;

The method and procedure for the settlement of claims or disputes, including settlement by arbitration;

The levy and recovery of fee, fines and penalties;

The fixing of a scale of brokerage and other charges;

The regulation of dealings by members for their own account;

The limitations on the volume of trade done by any individual member in exceptional circumstances;

The making, comparing, settling and closing of bargains;

The obligation of members to supply such information or explanation and to produce such documents relating to the business as the governing body may require.

The bye-laws, the contravention of which shall make a contract entered into otherwise than in accordance with the bye-laws void under sub-section (1) of Section 14.

Options in Securities

The Act prohibits options in securities. Section 20 declares “Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act or in any other law for the time being in force, all options in securities entered into after the commencement of this Act shall be illegal.”

Listing of Securities by Public Companies

‘Listing of securities’ means the inclusion of the securities in the official list of stock exchange for the purpose of trading. A stock exchange does not deal in the securities of all-companies. It has to, therefore, select the companies - whose securities may be allowed to be bought and sold. The companies selected for this purpose are included in the official trade list of the stock exchange. In technical terms, it means that securities of these companies have been listed by the exchange concerned.

Right of Appeal against Refusal to List Securities

Where a recognised stock exchange refuses to list the securities of any public company, the company shall be entitled to demand the reasons for such refusal. On receipt of the reasons for refusal, the company may, within 15 days, appeal to the Central Government against such refusal. The Central Government may thereupon (after giving the stock exchange an opportunity of being heard) vary or set aside, the decision of the stock exchange. On decision being varied or set aside, the recognised stock exchange shall act in conformity with the order of the Central Government.

Procedure for Listing of Securities

As per the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Rules, 1957, a public company desirous of getting its securities listed on a recognised stock exchange has to apply for the purpose to the stock exchange and forward with its application the following documents and particulars:

Memorandum and articles of association and in the case of a debenture issue, a copy of the trust-deed ;

Copies of all prospectuses or statements in lieu of prospectuses issued by the company at any time ;

Copies of offers for sale and circulars or advertisement offering any securities for subscription or sale during the last 5 years ;

Copies of balance-sheets and audited accounts for the last 5 years, or in the case of new companies, for such shorter period, for which accounts have been made up,

A statement showing:—

Dividends and cash bonuses, if any paid during the last 10 years (or such shorter period as the company has been in existence, whether as a private or public company),

Dividends or interest in arrears, if any ;

Certified copies of agreements or other documents relating to arrangements with or between: —

Vendors and/or promoter,

Underwriters and sub-underwriter,

Brokers and sub-brokers ;

Certified copies of agreements with:—

Selling agents,

Managing and technical directors,

Manager, general manager, sales manager or secretary ;

Certified copy of every letter, report, balance-sheet, valuation, contract, court order or other document, part of which is reproduced or referred to in any prospectus, offer for sale, circular or advertisement offering securities for subscription or sale, during the last 5 years ;

A statement containing particulars of the dates of, and parties to all material contracts, concessions and similar other documents together with a brief description of the terms, subject-matter and general nature of the documents;

A brief history of the company since its incorporation, giving details of its activities including any reorganisation, reconstruction or amalgamation, change in its capital structure (authorised, issued and subscribed) and debenture borrowings, if any ;

Particulars of share and debentures issued (i) for consideration other than cash, whether in whole or part, (ii) at a premium or discount or (iii) in pursuance of an option; (l) A statement containing particulars of any commission, brokerage, discount or other terms including an option for issue of any kind of the securities granted to any person; (m)certified copies of—

Letter of consent of the Controller of Capital Issue,

Agreements, if any, with the Industrial Finance Corporation, Industrial Credit and Investment Corporation and similar bodies ;

Particulars of shares forfeited ;

A list of highest ten holders of each class or kind of securities of the company as on the date of application along with particulars as to the number of shares or debenture held by and the address of each such holder ;

Particulars of shares or debentures for which permission to deal is applied for .

However, a recognised stock exchange may either generally by its bye-laws or in any particular case call for such further particulars or documents as it deems proper. The stock exchange shall be bound to carry out such order of the Central Government.

Waiver or Relaxation of Listing Rules.

The Central Government may, at its own discretion or on the recommendation of a recognised stock exchange, waive or relax the strict enforcement of any or all of the requirements with respect to listing prescribed under Securities Contracts (Regulation) Rules.

Part II

The Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956 (Act No.42 Of 1956)

The main purpose of the Act is to prevent the undesirable transactions in securities by regulating the business of dealing in securities. This is discussed in 6 sub heads.

Preliminary

Recognised Stock Exchanges

Contracts And Options In Securities

Listing Of Securities Of Public Companies

Penalties And Procedures

Miscellaneous

Preliminary

This Act may be called the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956. It extends to the whole of India. It shall come into force on such date as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette appoint.

Definitions

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,-

“contract” means a contract for or relating to the purchase or sale of securities;

“derivative” includes –

A security derived from a debt instrument, share, loan whether secured or unsecured, risk instrument or contract for differences or any other form of security;

A contract which derives its value from the prices, or index or prices, of underlying securities;

“Government security” means a security created and issued, whether before or after the commencement of this Act, by the Central Government or a State Government for the purpose of raising a public loan and having one of the forms specified in clause (2) of section 2 of the Public Debt Act, 1944 (18 of 1944);

«member» means a member of a recognised stock exchange;

«option in securities» means a contract for the purchase or sale of a right to buy or sell, or a right to buy and sell, securities in future, and includes a teji, a mandi, a teji mandi, a galli, a put, a call or a put and call in securities;

«prescribed» means prescribed by rules made under this Act;

«recognised stock exchange» means a stock exchange which is for the time being recognised by the Central Government under section 4;

«rules», with reference to the rules relating in general to the constitution and management of a stock exchange, includes, in the case of a stock exchange which is an incorporated association, its memorandum and articles of association;

«Securities Appellate Tribunal» means a Securities Appellate Tribunal established under sub-section (1) of section 15K of the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992.4

«Securities» include-

Shares, scrips, stocks, bonds, debentures, debenture stock or other marketable securities of a like nature in or of any incorporated company or other body corporate;

Derivative;

Units or any other instrument issued by any collective investment scheme to the investors in such schemes

Government securities;

Such other instruments as may be declared by the Central Government to be securities; and

Rights or interests in securities;

Spot delivery contract means a contract which provides for,-

Actual delivery of securities and the payment of a price therefore either on the same day as the date of the contract or on the next day, the actual period taken for the dispatch of the securities or the remittance of money therefore through the post being excluded from the computation of the period aforesaid if the parties to the contract do not reside in the same town or locality;

Transfer of the securities by the depository from the account of a beneficial owner to the account of another beneficial owner when such securities are dealt with by a depository;]

“stock exchange” means any body of individuals, whether incorporated or not, constituted for the purpose of assisting, regulating or controlling the business of buying, selling or dealing in securities.

Words and expressions used herein and not defined in this Act but defined in the Companies Act, 1956 or the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992 or the Depositories Act, 1996 shall have the same meanings respectively assigned to them in those Acts.

Contracts and Options in Securities

Contracts in Notified Areas Illegal in Certain Circumstances

If the Central Government is satisfied, having regard to the nature or the volume of transactions in securities in any State or area, that it is necessary so to do, it may, by notification in the Official Gazette, declare this section to apply to such State or area, and thereupon every contract in such State or area which is entered into after date of the notification otherwise than between members of a recognised stock exchange in such State or area or through or with such member shall be illegal. [Additional trading floor 13A. A stock exchange may establish additional trading floor with the prior approval of the Securities and Exchange Board of India in accordance with the terms and conditions stipulated by the said Board.

Explanation

For the purposes of this section ‘additional trading floor’ means a trading ring or trading facility offered by a recognised stock exchange outside its area of operation to enable the investors to buy and sell securities through such trading floor under the regulatory framework of the stock exchange.

Contracts in Notified areas to be Void in Certain Circumstances

Any contract entered into in any State or area specified in the notification under section 13 which is in contravention of any of the bye- laws specified in that behalf under clause (a) of sub-section (3) of section 9 shall be void:

As respects the rights of any member of the recognised stock exchange who has entered into such contract in contravention of any such bye-laws, and also

As respects the rights of any other person who has knowingly participated in the transaction entailing such contravention.

Nothing in sub-section (1) shall be construed to affect the right of any person other than a member of the recognised stock exchange to enforce any such contract or to recover any sum under or in respect of such contract if such person had no knowledge that the transaction was in contravention of any of the bye-laws specified in clause (a) of sub-section (3) of section 9.

Members may not act as Principals in Certain Circumstances

No member of a recognised stock exchange shall in respect of any securities enter into any contract as a principal with any person other than a member of a recognised stock exchange, unless he has secured the consent or authority of such person and discloses in the note, memorandum or agreement of sale or purchase that he is acting as a principal:

Provided that where the member has secured the consent or authority of such person otherwise than in writing he shall secure written confirmation by such person of such consent or authority within three days from the date of the contract:

Provided further that no such written consent or authority of such person shall be necessary for closing out any outstanding contract entered into by such person in accordance with the bye-laws, if the member discloses in the note, memorandum or agreement of sale or purchase in respect of such closing out that he is acting as a principal.

Power to Prohibit Contracts in Certain Cases

If the Central Government is of opinion that it is necessary to prevent undesirable speculation in specified securities in any State or area, it may, by notification in the Official Gazette, declare that no person in the State or area specified in the notification shall, save with the permission of the Central Government, enter into any contract for the sale or purchase of any security specified in the notification except to the extent and in the manner, if any, specified therein.

All contracts in contravention of the provisions of sub-section (1) entered into after the date of the notification issued there under shall be illegal.

Licensing of Dealers in Securities in Certain Cases

Subject to the provision of sub-section (3) and to the other provisions contained in this Act, no person shall carry on or purport to carry on, whether on his own behalf or on behalf of any other person, the business of dealing in securities in any State or area to which section 13 has not been declared to apply and to which the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette declare this section to apply, except under the authority of a licence granted by the [Securities and Exchange Board of India] in this behalf.

No notification under sub- section (1) shall be issued with respect to any State or area unless the Central Government is satisfied, having regard to the manner in which securities are being dealt with in such State or area, that it is desirable or expedient in the interest of the trade or in the public interest that such dealings should be regulated by a system of licensing.

The restrictions imposed by sub-section (1) in relation to dealings in securities shall not apply to the doing of anything by or on behalf of a member of any recognised stock exchange.

Exclusion of Spot Delivery Contracts

If the Central Government is of opinion that in the interest of the trade or in the public interest it is expedient to regulate and control the business of dealing in spot delivery contracts also in any State or are (whether section 13 has been declared to apply to that State or area or not), it may, by notification in the Official Gazette, declare that the provisions of section 17 shall also apply to such State or area in respect of spot delivery contracts generally or in respect of spot delivery contract for the sale or purchase of such securities as may be specified in the notification, and may also specify the manner in which, and the extent to which, the provision of that section shall so apply. 18A. Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, contracts are –

Traded on a recognised stock exchange;

Settled on the clearing house of the recognised stock exchange in accordance with the rules and bye-laws of such stock exchange.

Stock exchanges other than recognised stock exchanges prohibited

No person shall, except with the permission of the Central Government, organise or assist in organising or be a member of any stock exchange (other than a recognized stock exchange) for the purpose of assisting in, entering into or performing any contracts in securities.

This section shall come into force in any State or area on such date, as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint.

Listing of Securities

Conditions for Listing

Where securities are listed on the application of any person in any recognised stock exchange, such person shall comply with the conditions of the listing agreement with that stock exchange.

Right of appeal against refusal of stock exchanges to list securities of public companies

Where a recognised stock exchange acting in pursuance of any power given to it by its bye- laws, refuses to list the securities of any public company or collective investment scheme the company or scheme shall be entitled to be furnished with reasons for such refusal, any may,-

Within fifteen days from the date on which the reasons for such refusal are furnished to it, or

Where the stock exchange has omitted or failed to dispose of, within the time specified in sub-section (1) of section 73 of the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956) (hereafter in this section referred to as the “specified time”), the application for permission for the shares or debentures to be dealt with on the stock exchange, within fifteen days from the date of expiry of the specified time or within such further period, not exceeding one month, as the Central Government may, on sufficient cause being shown, allow, appeal to the Central Government against such refusal, omission or failure, as the case may be, and thereupon the Central Government may, after giving the Stock Exchange an opportunity of being heard,-

Vary or set aside the decision of the stock exchange; or

Where the stock exchange has omitted or failed to dispose of the application within the specified time, grant or refuse the permission and where the Central Government sets aside the decision of the recognised stock exchange or grants the permission, the stock exchange shall act in conformity with the orders of the Central Government.

Provided that no appeal shall be preferred against refusal, omission or failure, as the case may be, under this section on and after the commencement of the Securities Laws (Second Amendment) Act, 1999.

Right of Appeal to Securities Appellate Tribunal against refusal of stock exchange to list securities of public companies

Where a recognised stock exchange, acting in pursuance of any power given to it by its bye-laws, refuses to list the securities of any public company, the company shall be entitled to be furnished with reasons for such refusal, and may, -

Within fifteen days from the date on which the reasons for such refusal are furnished to it, or

Where the stock exchange has omitted or failed to dispose of, within the time specified in sub-section (1A) of section 73 of the Companies Act, 1956 (hereafter in this section referred to as the “specified time”), the application for permission for the shares or debentures to be dealt with on the stock exchange, within fifteen days from the date of expiry of the specified time or within such further period, not exceeding one month, as the Securities Appellate Tribunal may, on sufficient cause being shown, allow,appeal to the Securities Appellate Tribunal having jurisdiction in the matter against such refusal, omission or failure, as the case may be, and thereupon the Securities Appellate Tribunal may, after giving the stock exchange, an opportunity of being heard,-

Vary or set aside the decision of the stock exchange; or

Where the stock exchange has omitted or failed to dispose of the applica-tion within the specified time, grant or refuse the permission, and where the Securities Appellate Tribunal sets aside the decision of the recog-nised stock exchange or grants the permission, the stock exchange shall act in conformity with the orders of the Securities Appellate Tribunal.

Every appeal under sub-section (1) shall be in such form and be accompanied by such fee as may be prescribed.

The Securities Appellate Tribunal shall send a copy of every order made by it to the Board and parties to the appeal.

The appeal filed before the Securities Appellate Tribunal under sub-section (1) shall be dealt with by it as expeditiously as possible and endeavour shall be made by it to dispose of the appeal finally within six months from the date of receipt of the appeal.

Procedure and powers of Securities Appellate Tribunal

The Securities Appellate Tribunal shall not be guided by the principles of natural justice and, subject to the other provisions of this Act and of any rules, the Securities Appellate Tribunal shall have powers to regulate their own procedure including the places at which they shall have their sittings.

The Securities Appellate Tribunal shall have for the purpose of discharging their functions under this Act, the same powers as are vested in a civil court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, while trying a suit, in respect of the following matters, namely:-

Summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person and examining him on oath;

Requiring the discovery and production of documents;

Receiving evidence on affidavits;

Issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses or documents;

Reviewing its decisions;

Dismissing an application for default or deciding it ex-parte;

Setting aside any order of dismissal of any application for default or any order passed by it ex-parte; and

Any other matter which may be prescribed.

Every proceeding before Securities Appellate Tribunal shall be deemed to be a judicial proceeding, within the meaning of sections 193 and 228, and for the purposes of section 196 of the Indian Penal Code and the Securities Appellate Tribunal shall b deemed to be a civil court for all the purposes of section 195 and Chapter XXVI of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973.

Right to Legal Representations

The appellant may either appear in person or authorise one or more chartered accountants or company secretaries or cost accountants or legal practitioners or any of its officers or present his or its case before the Securities Appellate Tribunal.

Explanation

For the purposes of this section, -

“chartered accountant” means a chartered accountant as defined in clause (b) o f sub-section (1) of section 2 of the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949 and who has obtained a certificate of practice under sub-section (1) of section 6 of that Act;

“company secretary” means a company secretary as defined in clause (c) of sub-section (1) of section 2 of the Company Secretaries Act, 1980 and who has obtained a certificate of practice under sub-section (1) of section 6 of that Act;

“cost accountant” means a cost accountant as defined in clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section 2 of the Cost and Works Accountants Act, 1959 and who has obtained a certificate of practice under sub-section (1) of section 6 of that Act;

“legal practitioner” means an advocate, vakil or an attorney of any High Court, and includes a pleader in practice.

Limitation

The provisions of the Limitation Act, 1963 shall as far as may be apply to an appeal made to a Securities Appellate Tribunal.

Civil court not to have jurisdiction

No civil court shall have jurisdiction to entertain any suit or proceeding in respect of any matter which a Securities Appellate Tribunal is empowered by or under this Act to determine and no injunction shall be granted by any court or other authority in respect of any action taken or to be taken in pursuance of any power conferred by or under this Act.

Appeal to High Court

Any person aggrieved by any decision or order of the Securities Appellate Tribunal may file an appeal to the High Court within sixty days from the date of communication of the decision or order of the Securities Appellate Tribunal on any question of fact or law arising out of such order;

Provided that the High Court may, if it is satisfied that the appellant was prevented by sufficient cause from filing the appeal within the said period, allow it to be filed within a further period not exceeding sixty days.

Penalties and Procedures

Penalties

Any person who-

Without reasonable excuse (the burden of proving which shall be on him) fails to comply with any requisition made under sub- section (4) of section 6; or

Enters into any contract in contravention of any of the provisions contained in section 13 or section 16; or

Contravenes the provisions contained in section 17 or section 19; or

Enters into any contract in derivative in contravention of section 18 A or the rules made under section 30.

Owns or keeps a place other than that of a recognised stock exchange which is used for the purpose of entering into or performing any contracts in contravention of any of the provisions of this Act and knowingly permits such place to be used for such purposes; or

Manages, controls, or assists in keeping any place other than that of a recognised stock exchange which is used for the purpose of entering into or performing any contracts in contravention of any of the provisions of this Act or at which contracts are recorded or adjusted or rights or liabilities arising out of contracts are adjusted, regulated or enforced in any manner whatsoever; or

Not being a member of a recognised stock exchange or his agent authorised as such under the rules or bye- laws of such stock exchange or not being a dealer in securities licensed under section 17

Not being a member of a recognised stock exchange or his agent authorised as such under the rules or bye- laws of such stock exchange or not being a dealer in securities licensed under section 17, canvasses, advertises or touts in any manner either for himself or on behalf of any other person for any business connected with contracts in contravention of any of the provisions of this Act; or

Joins, gathers or assists in gathering at any place other than the place of business specified in the bye-laws of a recognised stock exchange any person or persons for making bids or offers or for entering into or performing any contracts in contravention of any of the provisions of this Act; shall, on conviction, be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine, or with both.

Any person who enters into any contract in contravention of the provisions contained in section 15 [or who fails to comply with the provisions of section 21 or with the orders of] the Central Government under section 22 or with the orders of the Securities Appellate Tribunal shall, on conviction, be punishable with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees.

Offences by Companies

Where an offence has been committed by a company, every person who, at the time when the offence was committed, was in charge of, and was responsible to, the company for the conduct of the business of the company, as well as the company, shall be deemed to be guilty of the offence, and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly:

Provided that nothing contained in this sub-section shall render any such person liable to any punishment provided in this Act, if he proves that the offence was committed without his knowledge or that he exercised all due diligence to prevent the commission of such offence.

Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), where an offence under this Act has been committed by a company and it is proved that the offence has been committed with the consent or connivance of, or is attributable to any gross negligence on the part of any director, manager, secretary or other officer of the company, such director, manager, secretary or other officer of the company, shall also be deemed to be guilty of that offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.

Certain Offences to be Cognizable

Notwithstanding anything contained in the [Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (5 of 1898)], any offence punishable under sub-section (1) of section 23, shall be deemed to be a cognizable offence within the meaning of that Code.

Jurisdiction to try offences under this Act 26. No court inferior to that of a presidency magistrate or a magistrate of the first class shall take cognizance of or try any offence punishable under this Act.

Miscellaneous

Title to Dividends

It shall be lawful for the holder of any security whose name appears on the books of the company issuing the said security to receive and retain any dividend declared by the company in respect thereof for any year, notwithstanding that the said security has already been transferred by him for consideration, unless the transferee who claims the dividend from the transferor has lodged the security and all other documents relating to the transfer which may be required by the company with the company for being registered in his name within fifteen days of the date on which the dividend became due.

Nothing contained in sub- section (1) shall affect –

The right of a company to pay any dividend which has become due to any person whose name is for the time being registered in the books of the company as the holder of the security in respect of which the dividend has become due; or

The right of the transferee of any security to enforce against the transferor or any other person his rights, if any, in relation to the transfer in any case where the company has refused to register the transfer of the security in the name of the transferee.

Right to receive income from collective investment scheme

It shall be lawful for the holder of any securities, being units or other instruments issued by collective investment scheme, whose name appears on the books of the collective investment scheme issuing the said security to receive and retain any income in respect of units or other instruments issued by the collective investment scheme declared by the collective investment scheme in respect thereof for any year notwithstanding that the said security, being units or other instruments issued by collective investment scheme, has already been transferred by him for consideration, unless the transferee who claims the income in respect of units or other instruments issued by collective investment scheme from the transfer or has lodged the security and all other documents relating to the transfer which may be required by the collective investment scheme with the collective investment scheme for being registered in his name within fifteen days of the date on which the income in respect of units or other instruments issued by the collective investment scheme became due.

Nothing contained in sub-section (1) shall affect

The right of a collective investment scheme to pay any income from units or other instruments issued by collective investment scheme which has become due to any person whose name is for the time being registered in the books of the collective investment scheme as the holder of the security being units or other instruments issued by collective investment scheme in respect of which the income in respect of units or other instruments issued by collective scheme has become due; or

The right of transferee of any security, being units or other instruments issued by collective investment scheme, to enforce against the transferor or any other person his rights, if any, in relation to the transfer in any case where the company has refused to register the transfer of the security being units or other instruments issued by collective investment scheme in the name of the transferee.

Act not to Apply in Certain Cases

The provisions of this Act shall not apply to-

The Government, the Reserve Bank of India, any local authority or any corporation set up by a special law or any person who has effected any transaction with or through the agency of any such authority as is referred to in this clause;

Any convertible bond or share warrant or any option or right in relation thereto, in so far as it entitles the person in whose favour any of the foregoing has been issued to obtain at his option from the company or other body corporate, issuing the same or from any of its shareholders or duly appointed agents, shares of the company or other body corporate, whether by conversion of the bond or warrant or otherwise, on the basis of the price agreed upon when the same was issued.

Without prejudice to the provisions contained in sub-section (1), if the Central Government is satisfied that in the interests of trade and commerce or the economic development of the country it is necessary or expedient so to do, it may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify any class of contracts as contracts to which this Act or any provision contained therein shall not apply, and also the conditions, limitations or restrictions, if any, subject to which it shall not so apply.

Protection of Action Taken in Good Faith

No suit, prosecution or other legal proceeding whatsoever shall lie in any court against the governing body or any member, office bearer or servant of any recognised stock exchange or against any person or persons appointed under sub-section (1) of section 11 for anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done in pursuance of this Act or of any rules or bye-laws made there under.

Power to Delegate

The Central Government may, by order published in the Official Gazette, direct that the powers (except the power under section 30) exercisable by such conditions, if any, as may be specified in the order, be exercisable also by the Securities and Exchange Board of India or the Reserve Bank of India constituted under section 3 of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934.

Power to Make Rules

The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, make rules for the purpose of carrying into effect the objects of this Act.

In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may provide for,

The manner in which applications may be made, the particulars which they should contain and the levy of a fee in respect of such applications;

The manner in which any inquiry for the purpose of recognizing any stock exchange may be made, the conditions which may be imposed for the grant of such recognition, including conditions as to the admission of members if the stock exchange concerned is to be the only recognised stock exchange in the area; and the form in which such recognition shall be granted;

The particulars which should be contained in the periodical returns and annual reports to be furnished to the Central Government;          

The documents which should be maintained and preserved under section 6 and the periods for which they should be preserved;

The manner in which any inquiry by the governing body of a stock exchange shall be made under section 6;

The manner in which the bye-laws to be made or amended under this Act shall before being so made or amended be published for criticism;

The manner in which applications may be made by dealers in securities for licences under section 17, the fee payable in respect thereof and the period of such licences, the conditions subject to which licences may be granted, including conditions relating to the forms which may be used in making contracts, the documents to be maintained by licensed dealers and the furnishing of periodical information to such authority as may be specified and the revocation of licences for breach of conditions;

The requirements which shall be complied with –

By public companies for the purpose of getting their securities listed on any stock exchange;

By collective investment scheme for the purpose of getting their units listed on any stock exchange.

The form in which an appeal may be filed before the Securities Appellate Tribunal under section 22A and the fees payable in respect of such appeal.

Any other matter which is to be or may be prescribed.

Any rules made under this section shall, as soon as may be, after their publication in the Official Gazette, be laid before both Houses of Parliament. Repeal 31. Repealed by the Repealing and Amending Act, 1960 (58 of 1960), section 2 and Schedule 1.

Part – III

Companies Act 1956

The Companies Act which regulates the activities of the companies from birth to death has provided for the sources of finance for companies and the methods of marketing the public issues which are marketable. These are in the form of ownership category, namely, Equities and Preference shares and Debt capital in the form of convertible and non-convertible debentures, fixed deposits etc. Under the Companies Act, Sections 55 to 68 provided for issue of prospectus, its contents, Registration of Prospectus, civil and criminal liabilities of the Directors for any mis-statements in prospectus etc.

The Act has laid down the methods of raising new issues, namely, through prospectus, letter of offer or statement in lieu of prospectus, Rights and Bonus. Section 58 A and B deal with the conditions for acceptance of deposits, repayments of deposits, etc. while companies (acceptance of deposits) Rules of 1975 laid down the period of maturity, interest rates and other conditions. As company deposits are an avenue of investment, the details regarding them are dealt with briefly later.

Sections 69 to 73 deal with the allotment of new issues of applicants, delivery of certificates and their listing on Stock Exchanges. The allotment is also governed by the guidelines given by the Stock Exchanges as per the listing agreement in the case of listed companies.

The basic framework for trading is provided by the Companies Act in the form of

Marketing the shares as movable property under Section 82.

Ensuring transferability of shares in respect of public limited companies under sections 108-112.

The transfer deed through which share certificates are to be transferred is provided for under Section 108 which was amended to legalise the demat form of transfer since 1999.

The validity of the transfer deed under Section 111 is 12 months in the case of listed companies and 24 months in the case of non-listed companies.

Section 114 provides for issue of share warrants.

So far as investors are concerned, it is desirable that they know the main provisions of the Companies Act, because the issue of prospectus, the contents of it, allotment of new issues, dispatch of certificates, transferability etc., are all laid down in it. The rights of shareholders and debenture holders, and different categories of creditors and debtors of companies are set out. The book closure for accounts, presentation of Balance Sheet and Income-Expenditure accounts, payments of dividends etc., are all provided for in this Act. In Particular, Section 82 provides for transferability of shares and Section 73 lays down the conditions for listing of Public Limited Companies. While these sections ensure the marketability of shares of listed public limited companies, trading in them is made possible by the Securities Contracts Regulation Act and the Rules made there under.

In view of the fact at purchase and sale of shares through recognized Stock Exchanges and through licensed Stock Brokers are only legal, and those are governed by the SC (R) Act, the investors have to be familiar with this Act and the Rules made there under. The relation between the Brokers and Investors and in particular, the disputes if any, between them are governed by the Rules and Bye-laws of the Stock Exchanges which are formulated under this Act.

Acceptance of Fixed Deposits

A company cannot accept deposits in excess of 35% of the paid up capital and free reserves. Of this, 25 % deposits can be accepted from the public and the rest 10% from shareholders of the company. The minimum period of acceptance of deposits is one year and the maximum period is limited to 3 years. The company is under an obligation to maintain an amount not less than 15% of the company’s deposit liability maturing during the course of the year, in liquid investments such as Government securities, units, deposits with banks etc.

The maximum rate of interest that can be offered on deposits is fixed at 16% (1999). A ceiling on brokerage payable on deposits has been fixed at 1%. The interest earned on fixed deposits of companies does not enjoy any exemption from income tax. Neither does the amount of deposit qualify for any exemption under wealth tax. Under the existing provisions of the Income Tax Act, tax on interest paid/payable is deducted at source if the interest payment exceeds ` 2,500 in a financial year unless suitable declaration is furnished by the depositor in regard to the total income of the depositor not exceeding the minimum liable to tax in a financial year (form 15 H under I.T. Act)

The acceptance of deposits by non-bank non-financial companies is governed by the Companies (acceptance of deposits) Rules 1975 as amended from time to time. Along with the prescribed application form the terms and conditions of acceptance of deposits are required to be furnished by companies, to the RBI in the case of non-bank finance companies and a copy in case of non-bank non-finance companies.

A careful study of either the financial data in the advertisement or the prescribed particulars as available within the application form would generally reveal the working results and the financial position of the company.

Compulsory Repayment of Deposits which have matured for Repayment

The Companies Act, 1956 has been amended by the Companies (Amendment) Act, 1988 with effect from 1.9.1989 so as to provide for compulsory repayment of deposits which have matured for repayment (Section 58(9)]. Under the amended provisions, the Company Law Board has been empowered to take cognizance of non-repayment of any deposit on maturity and to direct repayment of such deposits on such conditions as may be specified by the Company Law Board in its Order. This will help and ensure repayment of public deposits and will create confidence amongst the public.

Procedure for Making Application to Company Law Board

The person holding a matured fixed deposit which he has not renewed and which the company has failed to repay, has to make an application in triplicate in Form No. 11. The application has to be accompanied by a fee payable by way of bank draft in favour of the Pay & Accounts Officer, Dept. of Company Affairs, New Delhi/Mumbai/Calcutta/Chennai.

The Company Law Board has four Regional Benches. The aggrieved depositors may make an application to the Bench of the Company Law Board having jurisdiction according to the Registered Office of the company. The Company Law Board would, after giving a reasonable opportunity of hearing to the company and other persons interested in the matter, make suitable orders for repayment of such deposits. Non-compliance of the order of the Company Law Board is a punishable offence attracting penalty by way of imprisonment up to 3 years and fine of not less than ` 50 for every day till such non-compliance continues.

Where the deposit which has fallen due for payment remains unpaid the depositor can seek remedy in a civil court, or can file an application for winding up of the company to the court after serving on the company written demand requiring the company to repay the deposit (Section 433, 434 and 439 of the Companies Act may be referred to for the purpose). The SEBI is not permitting such companies to make public issues.

Cases in Respect of which applications to the Company Law Board will not lie

It is essential to know that under Section 58A of the Companies Act, the power to order repayment of matured deposits can be exercised by the CLB only in respect of deposits accepted Under the Companies (Acceptance of Deposit) Rules 1975 as amended from time to time. In other words, an application to the Company Law Board of repayment of matured deposits shall not lie in the following cases:

Deposits made for booking purchases of scooter, car etc.

Deposits accepted by financial companies like, hire-purchase finance company, a housing finance company, an investment company, a loan/mutual benefit financial company, a chit fund company, which are governed by the rules made by the RBI.

Deposits accepted by companies which have been notified as ‘relief undertakings’ under special laws enacted by various State Governments. Court rulings point to the fact that the monetary liabilities of relief undertakings during the notified period stand suspended and any proceedings including the proceedings for compulsory repayment of deposits under Section 58A (9) shall accordingly remain stayed.

Deposits accepted by a sick industrial company covered by the Sick Industrial Companies (Special Provisions) Act, 1985 in respect of which, the Board for Industrial and Financial Reconstruction has specifically, by order suspended the operations of any contract, agreement, settlement, etc. under Section 22(3) of the Act.

Facts about Company Deposits

The deposits accepted by a company are not repayable before the date of maturity. It is left to the discretion of a company to allow premature repayment of a deposit. If and when the deposits are prematurely repaid the depositors are entitled to a lower rate of interest than the contracted rate. Most importantly, the company deposits are unsecured and rank pari passu with other unsecured liabilities. Hence, the investor has no recourse to any asset of the company in case of default by a company to repay the deposit on maturity.

Care to be exercised while investing in Fixed Deposits

Invitation to deposits from public for various schemes of deposits is invariably published in newspapers in the form of a statutory advertisement giving the following details:

Terms of acceptance of deposits, rate of interest on different maturities, minimum amount of deposits, cumulative or non-cumulative nature of the deposit, etc.

Brief details of the name of the company, date of its incorporation, business carried on by it, places where the company has offices and names and address of directors.

Details of profits and dividends for the last three years.

Summarized financial position to the company (i.e., assets and liabilities) as appearing in the two latest audited balance sheets, alongwith details of contingent liabilities not provided for.

Details regarding maximum amount of deposits which a company can accept.

A specific declaration that deposits accepted are unsecured and would rank pari passu with other unsecured liabilities.

A statement of deposits remaining unpaid.

Problems in Securities Markets

Securities markets are highly sensitive to any socio-economic and political factors. A large element of speculation is rampant in these markets and a right dose of regulation is a necessary evil. The sensitivity of external factors has increased after 1992 economic and financial reforms. When liberalization and globalization trends began to be perceptible.

Lack of professionalisation and broker-banks nexus has led to a number of scams. Even big banks got involved in Scams, in 1991-92 and 2000-01. Corruption and malpractices including mismanagement led to many bank failures, involving the U.T.I. as we. The trust and confidence reposed in the markets by investors were rudely shaken by the failure of u.s. 64 Scheme of UTI, urban corporative banks’ failures and non-refund of deposits by many financial and non-financial companies. The laxity in regulation and in supervision by C.L.B., SEBI and RBI is one obvious reason for increased malpractices in the financial system, shaking the confidence of savers and investors.

Part – IV

Foreign Institutional Investments in India (FII)

Several economic forces, operating on both demand as well as supply side, have made markets totally global. Taken literally, it means that borrowers and investors go shopping around the world, picking up funds wherever they find them convenient and cheap. A pressure has come from growing number of institutionally managed funds (pension funds, insurance companies, mutual funds), which have actively pursued a policy of diversifying their portfolios internationally. These institutions have been investing abroad, particularly in 1980s to take advantage of higher returns available on the foreign securities. British pension fund holdings of foreign securities raised from 5 per cent of their total assets at end-1978 to 12 per cent at end-1985 an increase of $16 billion. Since 1980, Japanese insurance companies and pension funds have been allowed to hold upto 10 per cent of their portfolios in foreign assets and are estimated to have invested about $ 20 billion abroad.

Rational of Foreign Institutional Investment(FII) in India

Why are FIIs so optimistic about investing in India?

Macro-economic fundamentals are much stronger today.

Fiscal reforms have succeeded in a large measure in curtailing inflation.

The Forex position is fine.

Liberalisation of trade has been accompanied by convertibility of the rupee for trade transactions.

Exchange rate is stable.

Domestic Private investment is being encouraged.

Government’s attitude is conductive for healthy competition and industrial growth.

Economic activity is beginning to rely more on price and market mechanisms.

India is waking up to the possible leveraging impact of FPI, in spurring its development efforts. As of now, FIIs control, globally, a $7.5 trillion, or ` 2, 250.000 crore investment portfolio and this is expected to go up to an incredible $ 20 trillion by the turn of the century. Since September 1992, when the government allowed FIIs to invest in the Indian capital market, 70 FIIs registered with SEBI and the number is increasing everyday. These 70 FIIs alone hold enormous financial power. If even one per cent of their portfolio were to come to India it would be about $3 billion. So far, they are believed to have brought in only about $ 150 million. According to some estimates $ 1 billion has already come into the Indian market through three major routes, i.e., direct portfolio investment, country funds and equity and quasi equity issues in the world markets placed by Indian firms.

Key Factors Affecting Fiis

Progressive management with good credentials.

Sound technological base, quite possibly with foreign collaborations.

International competitiveness and good export potential.

A widely dispersed share holding, that rules out the possibility of family funds destabilising the management and performance.

Market capitalisation greater than ` 100 crore or so, and

Participation by other financial institutions.

Sebi Guidelines

As the regulatory authority of the Indian Capital Market, the SEBI has issued a list of guidelines for FIIs. Some of the important guidelines are listed below:

FIIs would be required to obtain an initial registration with Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), nodal regulatory agency for securities markets, before any investment is made by them in the securities of companies listed on the stock exchanges in India, in accordance with these guidelines. Nominee companies, affiliates and subsidiary companies of a FII will be treated as separate FIIs for registration and may seek separate registration with SEBI.

Since there are foreign exchange controls also in force, for various permissions under exchange control, along with their application for initial registration, FIIs shall also file with SEBI another application addressed to RBI for seeking various permissions under FERA, in a format that would be specified by RBI for this purpose. RBIs general permission would be obtained by SEBI before granting initial registration and RBI’s FERA permission together by SEBI, under a single window approach.

For granting registration to the FII, SEBI shall take into account, the track record of the FII, its professional competence, financial soundness, experience and such other criteria that may be considered by SEBI to be relevant. Besides, FIIs seeking initial registration with SEBI shall be required to hold a registration from the securities commission, or the country of domicile/incorporation of the FII.

SEBI’s initial registration would be valid for five years. RBI’s general permission under FERA to the FII will also hold good for five years. Both will be renewable for similar five years period later on.

RBI’s general permission under FERA would enable the registered FII to buy, sell and realise capital gains on investment made through initial corpus remitted to India, subscribe/renounce right offering of shares, invest on all recognised stock exchanges through a designated bank branch, and to appoint a domestic custodian for custody of investments held.

There would be no restriction on the volume of investment-minimum or maximum for the purpose of entry of FIIs, in the primary/secondary market. Also, there would be no lock-in period prescribed for the purposes of such investments made by FIIs. It is expected that the differential in the rates of taxation of the long-term capital gains and short-term capital gains would automatically induce the FIIs to retain their investments as long-term investments.

Portfolio investments in primary or secondary markets will be subject to a ceiling of 24 per cent of issued share capital for the total holding of all registered FIIs, in any one company. The ceiling would apply to all holdings taking into account the conversions out of the fully and partly convertible debentures issued by the company. The holding of a single FII in any company would also be subject to a ceiling of 5 per cent of total issued capital. For this purpose, the holdings of a FII group will be counted as holding of a single FII.

The RBI has now restricted the foreign institutional investors quota in primary issues. This decision has been taken after complaints that companies are reducing the quota for NRI’s in public issue while allotting the full 24% to the FIIs.

The maximum holding of 24 per cent for all non-resident portfolio investments, including those of the registered FIIs, will also include NRI corporate and non-corporate investments, but will not include the following:

Foreign investments under financial collaborations (direct foreign investments), which are permitted upto 51 per cent in all priority areas.

Investments by FIIs through the following alternative routes:

Offshore single/Regional funds:

Offshore single/Regional funds;

Global Depository Receipts; and

Euro convertibles.

Disinvestments will be allowed only through stock exchange in India, including the OTC Exchange. In exceptional cases, SEBI may permit sales other than through stock exchanges, provided the sale price is not significantly different from the stock market quotations, where available.

All secondary market operations would be only through the recognised intermediaries on the Indian Stock Exchange, including OTC Exchange of India. A registered FII would be expected not to engage in any short selling in securities and to take delivery of purchased and give delivery of sold securities.

A registered FII can appoint as custodian an agency approved by SEBI to act as a custodian of securities and for confirmation of transactions in securities, settlement of purchase and sale and for information reporting. Such custodian shall establish separate accounts for detailing on a daily basis the investment capital utilisation and securities held by each FII for which it is acting as custodian. The custodian will report to the RBI and SEBI semi-annually as part of its disclosure and reporting guidelines.

The RBI shall make available to the designated bank branches a list of companies where no investment will be allowed on the basis of the upper prescribed ceiling of 24 per cent having been reached under the portfolio investment scheme.

RBI may at any time request by an order, a registered FII to submit information regarding the records of utilisation of the inward remittances of investment capital and the statement of securities transactions. RBI and or SEBI may at any time conduct a direct inspection of the record and accounting books of a registered FII.

FIIs investing under this scheme will benefit from a concessional tax regime of a flat tax of 20 per cent on dividend and interest income and a tax rate of 10 per cent on long-term (one year or more) capital gains.

Problem Areas In FIIS In India

Following are some major problems faced by FII’s hindering investment in India:

The cumbersome rules that govern foreign institutional investment in India and the archaic system of its stock exchange have forced the FIIs to divert a substantial portion of their investments into the offshore instruments floated by Indian Companies, instead of directly investing in the Indian Capital market.

Another factor that has limited grater investment in the stock market is the fact that most money managers find greater value and growth potential in the second tier of Indian Companies as the economy opens upto a greater competition.

The settlement systems are complicated and fraught with risks which few of them have any experience of counterpart, risks, default, and unreasonable delays.

The brokerage system is not transparent.

The Indian brokers are under-capitalized.

There is lack of adequate custodial services.

Registration of shares can be an agonizing process.

There are frequent interruptions in the working of the bourses.

Trading volumes are very low and less than 20 per cent of the total volume is for delivery.

Foreign Institutional Investors- Recent Trends

With a view to facilitating the entry of Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) into the country SEBI has simplified the common application forms. The entry of FIIs is also to be facilitated by increasing the role of foreign brokers in the transactions of FIIs. Foreign brokers will be allowed to assist FIIs and operate on their behalf by transmitting orders to buy or sell securities to members of the Indian Stock Exchanges. These foreign brokers have been permitted to open bank and custodial accounts for this purpose. Government have also allowed some foreign firms to set up joint ventures in the financial sector.

There has been a continuous increase in the number of FIIs registered with SEBI and in the volume of investments effected by them in India. Till the middle of January 1994, SEBI and registered 134 FIIs who have 175 broad-based institutional funds under them which have also been approved for investment in the market. About US $ 1 billion have already been invested by these FIIs. The size of the inflow of investment funds and the increase in t he number of FIIs registered in India are indicative of the growing confidence of the international investing community in Indian markets and their regulatory mechanism. The short-term capital gains of FIIs will be taxed at the rate of 30 per cent while long-term capital gains are taxed at 10 per cent. The will guard against volatility in fund flow. Dividend payments will be subject to a tax rate of 20 per cent.

Part – V

Guidelines to Investors

Deal with a registered member of the stock exchange. If you are dealing with a sub-broker, make sure that all bills and contracts are made in the name of a registered broker.

Insist that all your deals are done in the trading ring, or electronically recorded.

Give specific orders to buy or sell within the fixed price limits and/or time periods within which orders have to be executed.

Insist on contract notes to be passed on to you on the dates, when the orders are executed.

Make sure that your deal is registered with the stock exchange in a souda Block Book or recorded electronically. In the case of a dispute, this will help trace the details of the deal easily.

Collect a settlement table from the stock exchange mentioning the pay-in and pay-out days. Each stock exchange has its own trading periods which are called settlements. All transactions done within this period are settled at the end of it. All payments for shares bought and their deliveries take place on the pay-in day. An awareness of pay-in and pay-out days is useful when a broker tries to make excuses.

Keep separate records of dealings in specified shares (Group A) and non-specified shares (Group B1, and B2). The settlement for each is on different days.

Execute periodic settlements of dues and delivery of shares to avoid accumulation of transactions,

Insist on delivery. If the company returns your papers and shares with objections, contact your broker immediately.

Ensure that shares bought are transferred in your name before the company’s book closure date. This is necessary to make sure that you receive benefits like dividend, interest and bonus shares. All companies have a book closure date on which the list of shareholders in the company is finalised.

Complain if the broker does not deliver the shares bought in your name. Proceed to contact another broker with the bill/contract given to you by the earlier broker, and the Exchange authorities and the latter will purchase the shares on your behalf. In such an event, the first broker will have to pay the difference in price.

Do not sell shares that are not transferred in your name after the book closure as these are not valid in the market.

Do not sell/deal in shares where any one of the holders has passed away. In cases where the holder has died, a succession certificate is necessary. In cases where one of the joint shareholders passes away, the surviving holder should send the shares along with the death certificate to the company. Only after the name of the deceased has been deleted from the shares, can they be transferred.

Do not expect the money for shares to come immediately. It will take at least a fortnight at present from the date of transaction.

Unless you have a special arrangement with the broker, do not expect the adjustment of purchases and sales against one another. One pays first and receives later

Do not take delays or harassment lying down. You have to complain to the Grievance Cell of the stock exchange or the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) in case of delay or harassment.