Markets regulator Sebi has notified a new set of norms to provide an
exit route to the dissenting shareholders in case a listed company
diverts from its stated objective of raising funds from the public.
The move is aimed at helping the shareholders make an exit if they feel
dissatisfied with any change
in business plan of the company concerned
after raising funds through IPOs, FPOs or any other capital-raising
exercise involving public investors.
A company which has raised money from the public through prospectus and
still has any unutilised amount cannot change its objectives for which
it raised the funds through prospectus unless a special resolution is
passed.
Besides, dissenting shareholders or those who are not satisfied with the changes, would be provided an exit option.
In recent times, there have been many instances where investors were
duped by illicit money pooling schemes that promised high return on
investments.
Sebi's decision follows a similar provision in the new Companies Act
which provides that dissenting shareholders should be given an exit
opportunity by promoters and controlling shareholders.
The new provisions would be applicable on prospective basis for issues
which opened after April 1, 2014, the date of commencement of related
provisions of the Companies Act, 2013, Securities and Exchange Board of
India (Sebi) said in a notification.
It would be applicable in all those cases where a proposal by the
company for changing the stated objective of use of public offer
proceeds is dissented by at least 10 per cent of the shareholders and if
the amount to be utilised for the objects is less than 75 per cent of
the amount raised.
This would include the amount earmarked for general corporate purposes
as disclosed in the offer document. There may be instances wherein a
company has already utilised a higher percentage of the amount raised
and intends to change the objects to some extent due to certain
reasons.
Therefore, the exit opportunity will be given in such cases only if the amount utilised is less than 75 per cent.
Sebi further said the investors holding shares as on the date of the
board meeting in which the proposal to change the objects is approved
and those who cast their vote against the resolution would be eligible
to avail the exit offer.
The exit price would be based on the pricing parameters applicable in
case of the exit offer given to the existing shareholders in terms of
Sebi's takeover regulations.
The relevant date for pricing would be the date of the board meeting in which the proposal for change in objects is approved.
The companies with no identifiable promoters or shareholders having control would be kept out from this requirement.
Further, the acquisition of shares from dissenting shareholders under
this framework would be exempted from the mandatory open offer
obligations under the takeover norms.
Such acquisition of shares would also be exempted from the applicability
of restriction on acquiring shares beyond 75 per cent, subject to
compliance with the minimum public shareholding requirement (of 25 per
cent) within a period of 12 months.
The contra trade restrictions on promoters, controlling shareholders and
dissenting shareholders under Sebi's Prohibition of Insider Trading
Regulations would also not be applicable.
Sebi further said procedural details such as appointment of merchant
bankers, determination of price, tendering of shares and submission of
compliance certificate would be specified in the new regulations to be
issued in due course.
The new norms would become part of Securities and Exchange Board of
India (Issue of Capital and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations.