Sebi to issue SOP on new  promoter exemption for IPO-bound  cos

The move is expected to provide clarity to IPO bound companies on the disclosures and process to be followed to get these exemptions, as the revised guidelines had led to some companies facing a delay in filing their draft red herring prospectus.

Sebi mandates companies planning initial public offerings (IPO) to disclose certain information about their promoters. Under the regulator’s Issue of Capital and Disclosure Requirements (ICDR), an immediate relative of the promoter, such as the spouse, parent, brother, sister or child, is necessarily considered part of the promoter group. Any company where such relatives hold more than 20% stake is also considered part of the promoter group, and both the relative and the company must furnish necessary information in the offer document and to Sebi and exchanges.

In May, Sebi had tightened this exemption process as it felt they were being misused.

Earlier, IPO-bound companies had to follow a process to send out a communication to these family members, followed by frequent reminders over a certain time, and in case of failure to respond to the correspondence, the company could seek an exemption to remove the said family member from the promoter group. This process takes up to a month and is usually undertaken along with filing the draft red herring prospectus.

However, Sebi’s May advisory to investment banks, asked them to furnish either an affidavit from such family member, clearly stating they do not want to be classified as part of the promoter group, or a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the promoter and the family member. Companies unable to furnish such documents must be disclosed as a promoter group, along with prescribed disclosures about such promoter group, in the DRHP. Also, the exemption based on such documents has to be obtained from Sebi before filing the DRHP.

The revised norms have caused delays in DRHP filings for some companies, especially where family members have estranged relationships, said the people cited above.