1. SEBI vide Circular dated May 19, 2022, has brought few changes with regards to stipulated procedures streamlining the Rights Issue process which was introduced on January 22, 2020.
2. Applicability of this Circular: This circular shall be applicable for all rights issues and fast track rights issue with immediate effect.
3. In respect of the aforesaid circular, para 1.4.1 and at Annexure I para C (e) of the Circular, deal with the requirement regarding minimum time period between closure of trading in Right Entitlements on stock exchange platform and closure of the rights issue, which requires trading in REs on the secondary market platform of stock exchanges commence along with the opening of the rights issue and has to be closed at least four days prior to the closure of the rights issue.
4. SEBI received market representation that in case there are trading holidays between last date of REs trading date and issue closure, provision of minimum gap of four days may not always ensure that there are adequate days for settlement, as minimum 2 working days are required for settlement of REs traded on last day of REs trading window (REs traded on exchange platform have T+2 rolling settlement).
5. It was further represented that there should be a minimum gap of three working days considering two days for settlement and one additional day for investor to make application in Rights Issue.
6. Therefore, in view of the above it has been decided that para 1.4.1 and at Annexure I para C (e) of the Circular paragraphs are amended as under: The words ‘at least four days’ are replaced with ‘at least three working days’.
7. All entities involved in the Rights Issue process are advised to take the necessary steps to ensure compliance with this circular.
8. The recognized stock exchanges are directed to bring the provisions of this circular to the notice of the listed companies and also to disseminate the same on their website.
Circular link: https://www.sebi.gov.in/legal/circulars/may-2022/streamlining-the-process-of-rights-issue_59023.html
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