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Government Initiatives and Regulatory Environment
The regulatory framework and government initiatives in the Indian capital markets have evolved significantly to
promote transparency, efficiency, and investor protection. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI),
along with other regulatory bodies like the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Insurance Regulatory and Development
Authority (IRDA), and Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA), play pivotal roles in
overseeing various aspects of the financial sector. SEBI, in particular, regulates investment products and has
been instrumental in implementing policies to deepen the securities markets and foster innovations in financial
instruments.
A noteworthy regulatory aspect is the multiple regulatory architecture, which encompasses product-wise
regulators for different financial products, including credit, investment, insurance, and pension products. The
Forward Markets Commission (FMC), which was merged with SEBI in late 2015, exemplifies efforts to consolidate
regulatory oversight for enhanced market efficiency.
Quasi-regulatory agencies like the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), Small
Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), and National Housing Bank (NHB) also contribute to the regulatory
landscape by supervising and regulating specific financial institutions and activities. Central ministries,
especially the Ministry of Finance (MoF), and state governments through the Registrar of Cooperatives play a
significant role in policy-making and regulation.
The establishment of the Financial Sector Development Council (FSDC) marked an important development in
India's regulatory architecture. The FSDC, which replaced the High-Level Committee on Capital Markets, acts as
a council of regulators with the Finance Minister as chairman. It aims to resolve inter-agency disputes, oversee
the regulation of financial conglomerates, and perform wealth management functions dealing with multiple
products.
Recent developments by SEBI have focused on enhancing market activities and investor protection. For instance,
SEBI's amendments to the SEBI (Delisting of Equity Shares) Regulations, 2021, and the introduction of a standard
operating procedure for the delisting of a listed subsidiary company through a scheme of arrangement highlight
the regulator's commitment to clarity and transparency in market operations. These amendments aim to
provide greater flexibility to issuers, ensure transparency in the issuance of non-convertible securities, and
clarify the criteria for companies in the same line of business seeking delisting.
Key initiatives include the implementation of more detailed disclosure requirements for market participants. This
move is designed to empower investors with crucial information necessary for making informed decisions, thus
strengthening investor protection and enhancing risk assessment. By requiring comprehensive disclosures
about risks specific to businesses, operations, and financial positions, SEBI aims to equip investors with the tools
needed for thorough risk assessments. This initiative not only improves corporate governance by mandating
transparency in related-party transactions, board composition, and remuneration policies but also ensures
market integrity by preventing the dissemination of false or misleading data. Moreover, these disclosure norms
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