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SEBI Proposes Overhaul of Governance Framework for Market Infrastructure Institutions
SEBI has proposed a significant overhaul of the governance framework for market infrastructure institutions, including stock exchanges, by mandating the appointment of two executive directors to bolster operational oversight. The move aims to ensure that these institutions prioritize public interest, compliance, and systemic stability above commercial considerations. The proposed changes also include strengthening the roles of other key managerial personnel and limiting the external directorships of MDs and EDs.
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has announced a proposal to revamp the governance framework of market infrastructure institutions (MIIs), including stock exchanges. This move comes as MIIs have witnessed a sharp growth in investor base, revenue, and market activity, prompting concerns about the potential for governance failures. The proposed changes aim to address these concerns by introducing two executive directors (EDs) to head critical operations and regulatory, compliance, risk management, and investor grievances. These EDs will be designated as key managerial personnel (KMPs) and will report to the board and SEBI on issues in their respective verticals. The proposal also includes strengthening the roles of other KMPs, such as the Chief Technology Officer, Chief Information Security Officer, Chief Risk Officer, and Compliance Officer, to ensure robust internal systems.
Governance Framework Overhaul
The proposed overhaul of the governance framework for MIIs is a significant step towards ensuring that these institutions prioritize public interest, compliance, and systemic stability above commercial considerations. The appointment of two EDs will provide empowered leadership to critical functions such as technology, risk management, and investor protection, thereby preventing governance failures. The EDs will be responsible for heading critical operations and regulatory, compliance, risk management, and investor grievances, respectively. They will also be inducted into the MII’s governing board alongside the Managing Director (MD).
Key Highlights of the Proposal
Some of the key highlights of the proposal include:
* The appointment of two EDs to head critical operations and regulatory, compliance, risk management, and investor grievances
* The EDs will be designated as KMPs and will report to the board and SEBI on issues in their respective verticals
* Strengthening the roles of other KMPs, such as the Chief Technology Officer, Chief Information Security Officer, Chief Risk Officer, and Compliance Officer
* Limiting the external directorships of MDs and EDs to prevent conflicts of interest
* The MD may serve as a non-executive director only on the board of a Section 8 company or an unlisted government entity not engaged in commercial activity
* The executive directors will be barred from directorships in any company except MII subsidiaries
Rationale Behind the Proposal
Expected Impact of the ProposalData and StatisticsSource link