April 06, 2011
N O
T I C E
Sub:
Unauthenticated news circulated by SEBI Registered Market Intermediaries
through various modes of communication
Trading members are hereby informed that the Exchange has
received Circulars from SEBI vide Ref. No.Cir/ISD/1/2011 dated 23 March 2011
& Cir/ISD/2/2011 dated 24 March 2011 on the above cited subject. The
contents of the said Circulars are given here under for information of the
members.
Quote: -
1. It has been observed by SEBI that
unauthenticated news related to various scrips are circulated in blogs/chat
forums/e-mail etc. by employees of Broking Houses/Other Intermediaries without
adequate caution as mandated in the Code of Conduct for Stock Brokers and
respective Regulations of various intermediaries registered with SEBI.
2. Further, in various instances, it
has been observed that the Intermediaries do not have proper internal controls
and do not ensure that proper checks and balances are in place to govern the
conduct of their employees. Due to lack of proper internal controls and poor
training, employees of such intermediaries are sometimes not aware of the
damage which can be caused by circulation of unauthenticated news or rumours.
It is a well established fact that market rumours can do considerable damage to
the normal functioning and behaviour of the market and distort the price
discovery mechanisms.
3. In view of the above facts, SEBI
Registered Market Intermediaries are directed
that:
• Proper internal code of conduct and controls should be put
in place.
• Employees/temporary staff/voluntary workers etc.
employed/working in the Offices of market intermediaries do not encourage or
circulate rumours or unverified information obtained from client, industry, any
trade or any other
sources without verification.
• Access to Blogs/Chat forums/Messenger sites etc. should
either be restricted under supervision or access should not be allowed.
• Logs for any usage of such Blogs/Chat forums/Messenger sites
(called by any nomenclature) shall be treated as records and the same should be
maintained as specified by the respective Regulations which govern theconcerned
intermediary.
• Employees should be directed that any market related news received by
them either in their official
mail/personal mail/blog or in any other manner, should be forwarded only after
the same has been seen and approved by the concerned Intermediary’s Compliance
Officer. If an employee fails to do so, he/she shall be deemed to have violated
the various provisions contained in SEBI Act/Rules/ Regulations etc. and shall
be liable for action. The Compliance Officer shall also be held liable for
breach of duty in this regard.
4. The Stock Exchanges are advised to:
a. bring the provisions of this
circular to the notice of the Stock Brokers and also disseminate the same on
their websites.
b. make necessary amendments to the
relevant bye-laws, rules and regulations
for the implementation of the above
decision in co-ordination with one another
to achieve uniformity in approach.
c. communicate to SEBI, the status of
the implementation of the provisions of this
circular in their Monthly Development
Reports.
5. The Depositories are advised to:-
a. make amendments to the relevant
bye-laws, rules and regulations for the implementation of the above decision
immediately, as may be applicable/ necessary
b. bring the provisions of this
circular to the notice of their DPs; and
c. disseminate the same on the website.
6. This circular is issued in exercise
of powers conferred under Section 11(1) of the Securities and Exchange Board of
India Act, 1992 to protect the interests of investors in securities and to
promote the development of, and to regulate the securities markets.
7. The circular shall come into force
from the date of the circular.
8. This circular is available on SEBI
website at www.sebi.gov.in, under the category ‘Legal Framework’.
Yours faithfully,
AVARJEET
SINGH
DEPUTY GENERAL MANAGER
TEL : 022 26449262
Fax : 022 26449023
EMAIL – avarjeets@sebi.gov.in
Unquote :
Members are requested to note that the aforesaid guideline of SEBI and
act accordingly.
MAV Raju
Deputy General Manager (HR & Admn.)