SEBI INSIDER TRADING REGULATIONS |
What are they
The SEBI (Prohibition of Insider Trading) Regulations, 1992
incorporate several disclosure and other reporting requirements, the onus of
which is cast on the Company, its Directors, Employees and also on
intermediaries such as Investment bankers, Lawyers, Auditors, Brokers, etc.
These Regulations seek to curb insider trading, price rigging, unfair
practices, etc. by those in possession of certain vital and confidential
information.
For Listed Companies
All Listed Companies must frame a Code of Internal
Procedures and Conduct (on the lines of the specified Model Code) to Prevent
Insider Trading. The salient features of this Model Code as applicable to
Listed Companies are as follows :
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Appointment of
a Compliance Officer who shall be responsible for setting policies,
procedures, monitoring adherence to the Code and its implementation, etc.
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The Company
must designate employees who it feels would be privy to Confidential
Information or to whom the Code should apply.
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Employees/directors must maintain the confidentiality of all Price
Sensitive Information and not pass it on directly or indirectly, by way
of making a recommendation for the purchase or sale of securities. It should
be handled on a "Need To Know" basis
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The company
should specify a trading period, to be called "Trading Window", for trading
in the company’s securities. When this window is closed, e.g., during
declaration of results, the employees/directors cannot trade in the
company’s securities.
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Designated
employees who intend to deal in the company’s securities (above a minimum
threshold limit fixed by the company) must obtain pre-clearance for these
transactions. They must hold the securities for minimum 30 days from the
date when they allotted.
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Designated
employees should forward the prescribed details of their securities’
transactions and holdings including a statement for their dependent family
members (as defined by the company) to the Compliance Officer. The Company
must decide the periodicity for reporting.
Price-Sensitive Information
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Price-Sensitive
Information means any information which relates directly or indirectly to a
company and which if published is likely to materially affect the price of
securities of company;
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Certain
information is deemed to be price-sensitive information, such as, details
about mergers, takeovers, results declaration, buybacks/dividend, etc.
Penalty
Employees/officers/directors of the company who violate the
code of conduct shall, in addition to SEBI action, be subject to disciplinary
action by the company, which may include wage freeze, suspension,
ineligibility for future participation in ESOPs, etc.
Other Intermediaries
All entities associated with securities markets should
frame a Code of Internal Procedures and Conduct to Prevent Insider Trading in
Listed Companies. This Code must be on the lines of the Model Code specified
by the Regulations. Stock Brokers, Sub-Brokers, Transfer Agents, Investment
Bankers, Registrars, Bankers to a Public Issue, Investment Adviser, Portfolio
Managers, Asset Management Companies, Trustees of Mutual Funds, Professional
firms such as Auditors, Accountancy Firms, Law Firms, Analysts, Consultants,
etc., assisting or advising listed companies are covered by this requirement.
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