SEBI notifies relaxation of norms for acquisition of distressed companies

Mumbai Aug 16 (IANS) Markets regulatory Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has relaxed the norms for takeover of distressed companies.

In a notification on August 14 the markets regulatory amended the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Substantial Acquisition of Shares and Takeovers) Regulations 2011.

The relaxation in norms applies to the acquisition of shares by lenders pursuant to the conversion of their debt as part of debt restructuring as per Reserve Bank of India s (RBI) guidelines.

Investors who acquire major stakes in a company from lenders who had acquired stakes in distressed companies will be exempted from making the mandatory open offer as it would reduce funds available for investment in the company.

However the relaxations are subject to certain conditions like approval by the shareholders of the companies by special resolution and lock-in of their shareholding for a minimum period of three years

Further the acquisitions are pursuant to resolution under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code 2016.

--IANS
vj/pgh/dg