SEBI brings in reforms, sets stricter rules

Mumbai:  Unveiling a raft of reform measures, Sebi on Wednesday approved options in commodity derivatives, unified licence for brokers, mutual fund investments through digital wallets, stricter public offer norms and enhanced safeguards to curb illicit fund flows. The first board meeting of regulator Sebi under the chairmanship of Ajay Tyagi also decided to relax preferential allotment norms for scheduled banks and put in place a new framework to deepen the corporate bond market. These measures are expected to provide a fillip to the domestic markets, which has seen robust trends in recent weeks. The agenda-heavy meeting held here saw the watchdog giving its green light to the long-awaited move of permitting options trading in commodity derivatives. Announcing the decision aimed at enhancing liquidity, Tyagi said it will be implemented "quickly" as commodity derivatives market is a high priority area. PTI