Sebi reviewing norms for working of stock exchanges

Discusses NSE's co-location facility

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has said that its board is looking at reviewing norms with regards to working of stock exchanges, depositories and clearing corporations.

The board noted the recommendation of Bimal Jalan Committee to review the working of market infrastructure institutions (MIIs) after five years.

After deliberation, the board approved the proposal for comprehensive review of Securities Contracts (Regulation) (Stock Exchanges and Clearing Corporations) Regulations, 2012 and Sebi (Depositories and Participants) Regulations, 1996, and to seek public comments on the same.

The consultative paper seeking public comments on the above will be made available on Sebi website, the regulator said in a release after its meeting in New Delhi. MIIs include stock exchanges, depositories and clearing corporations.

The regulator also discussed about complaints with regards to NSE’s co-location facility.
“The board took note of the information memorandum on various references received related to co-location facility of the NSE and the examination carried out by Sebi under the guidance the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) of Sebi,” the regulator said.

P-notes sufficient enough

The concerns related to systems and processes at the exchange arising out of examinations are being addressed in consultation with TAC and NSE’s board, the Sebi said.

The board was appraised about the actions so far taken by the Sebi against some of the brokers on the basis of examination of allegations received with respect to their role in NSEL matters, it added.

Meanwhile, the Sebi said steps taken by it on Participatory Notes (P-notes) are “sufficient enough” to address the concerns of SIT on black money, but the regulator is open to  suggestions, even as it asserted that consistent tightening of norms have made these instruments less attractive.

“The consistent tightening of Offshore Derivative Instrument (ODI) norms by Sebi has not only been through increased compliances but also improved transparency,” the regulator said after its board meeting where the issue was also discussed. Over the years, foreign portfolio investments through ODIs, P-notes, has come down significantly.

‘Regulator is evolving’
Emphasising that Indian securities market has seen significant developments, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley  said the regulator is evolving in accordance with the needs of the economy and markets.

Discussing the Budget initiatives with the Sebi board in New Delhi on Saturday, Jaitley said regulations have been evolving very fast and that the regulator as an institution has established lot of credibility for itself.

Sebi Chairman U K Sinha said the finance minister was informed about the developments in the market as well as current issues Sebi and market are facing.