Capital markets regulator SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) has proposed altering the idea of corporation ‘promoters’, and moving towards the thought of ‘person in control’. The move comes as an escalating quantity of firms adopt corporate structures exactly where there are more than just a single owner. Some firms also have institutional investors and private equity players holding more sway than these listed as promoters. Further, SEBI has also proposed alterations to the lock-in periods, streamlining disclosures of group firms, and rationalising the ‘Promoter Group’ definition. Experts clarify and analyse how SEBI’s proposed transform will work and how it will effect promoter ownership of firms.
Makarand Joshi, founding companion, MMJC and Associates LLP: “The discussion paper is a step towards empowering the regulator (SEBI) as the Indian bourses are about to see listing of start-ups with Zomato being the first among the several such unicorns. According to one estimate, these Indian unicorns are valued close to $150-160 billion and unlike conventional shareholding patterns, promoters do not hold a substantial controlling stake in such entities. Invariably, institutional investors collectively holding larger stakes in such unicorns calls for the regulator to play a more proactive role with some of these institutions that may be beneficially owned by neighbouring countries.”
Manan Lahoty, Partner, IndusLaw: “The proposed changes aim to rationalize and simplify roles and responsibilities of promoters and seek to align the Indian law with the international practices. The paper aims to cover various grounds which will all affect the IPO candidates favourably. There will be a lesser disclosure burden on promoter group and group companies, even though a lot more could have been targeted in this round. Similarly, a reduced lock-up for promoters will bring in commercial convenience and improve viability for IPOs. Lastly, the move towards controlling persons and away from non-controlling promoters will help reduce the compliance burden and will make relevant information easier for investors to process. However, the big miss here is the definition of “control” itself — with no which, any transform in this field will have tiny effect.”
Abhimanyu Bhattacharya, Partner, Khaitan & Co: “The recently released SEBI consultation paper proposes significant changes to the IPO framework such as reduction in post IPO lock-in requirements, reviewing the concept of promoters amongst others. The proposed changes recognise the ground realities for new age issuers and make it conducive for their Indian founders and their investors to consider listing in India.”
Anand Lakra, Partner, J Sagar Associates: “If implemented, the proposals will reduce disclosures in IPO documents and provide liquidity to pre-IPO shareholders (including promoters) by reducing the lock-in period. SEBI’s proposal to shift from promoter to persons in control is a welcome change from the existing stand of ‘once a promoter, always a promoter. Under current norms, until reclassification, promoter shareholders who are not in control continue to bear the burden which promoters are subject to. However, given that the concept of the promoter is widely legislated, SEBI would need to make necessary amendments to the impacted SEBI regulations and in particular, such amendments may warrant a re-look at the definition of control.”
Sandeep Parekh, Founder, Finsec Law Advisors (on Twitter): “So the concept of promoter is an easy concept – but wrong. Because it attaches accountability often to random people. And if you want to be disassociated from the co after you have sold your stakes, it is often impossible to declassify. You will be responsible for acts of strangers.”