ACQUISITION OF SHARES AND
TAKEOVERS AMENDMENT REGULATIONS 1998
NOTIFICATION
CHAPTER I
PRELIMINARY
Short title and commencement
1 (1) These Regulations shall be called the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Substantial Acquisition of Shares and Takeovers) Regulations, 1997.
(2) These Regulations shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.
Definitions
2 (1) In these Regulations, unless the context otherwise requires:-
(a) "Act" means the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992 (15 of 1992);
(b) "acquirer" means any person who, directly or indirectly, acquires or agrees to acquire shares or voting rights in the target company, or acquires or agrees to acquire control over the target company, either by himself or with any person acting in concert with the acquirer;
(c) "control" shall include the right to appoint majority of the directors or to control the management or policy decisions exercisable by a person or persons acting individually or in concert, directly or indirectly, including by virtue of their shareholding or management rights or shareholders agreements or voting agreements or in any other manner;
(d) "investigating officer" means any person appointed by the Board under Regulation 38;
(e) "person acting in concert" comprises, -
(1) persons who, for a common objective or purpose of substantial acquisition of shares or voting rights or gaining control over the target company, pursuant to an agreement or understanding (formal or informal), directly or indirectly co-operate by acquiring or agreeing to acquire shares or voting rights in the target company or control over the target company.
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of this definition, the following persons will be deemed to be persons acting in concert with other persons in the same category, unless the contrary is established :
i) a company, its holding company, or subsidiary of such company or company under the same management either individually or together with each other;
ii) a company with any of its directors, or any person entrusted with the management of the funds of the company;
iii) directors of companies referred to in sub-clause (i) of clause (2) and their associates;
iv) mutual fund with sponsor or trustee or asset management company;
v) foreign institutional investors with sub account(s);
vi) merchant bankers with their client(s) as acquirer;
vii) portfolio managers with their client(s) as acquirer;
viii) venture capital funds with sponsors;
ix) banks with financial advisers, stock brokers of the acquirer, or any company which is a holding company, subsidiary or relative of the acquirer. Provided that sub-clause (ix) shall not apply to a bank whose sole relationship with the acquirer or with any company, which is a holding company or a subsidiary of the acquirer or with a relative of the acquirer, is by way of providing normal commercial banking services or such activities in connection with the offer such as confirming availability of funds, handling acceptances and other registration work.
(x) any investment company with any person who has an interest as director, fund manager, trustee, or as a shareholder having not less than 2% of the paid-up capital of that company or with any other investment company in which such person or his associate holds not less than 2% of the paid up capital of the latter company.
Note: For the purposes of this clause `associate' means :
(a) any relative of that person within the meaning of section 6 of the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956); and
(b) family trusts and Hindu Undivided Families.
f) "offer period" means the period between the date of public announcement of the first offer and the date of closure of that offer;
(g) "panel" means a panel constituted by the Board for the purpose of Regulation 4;
(h) "promoter" means
(1) (i) the person or persons who are in control of the company, or
(ii) person or persons named in any offer document as promoters;
(2) a relative of the promoter within the meaning of section 6 of the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956);and
(3) in case of a corporate body,
(i) a subsidiary or holding company of that body, or
(ii) any company in which the `Promoter' holds 10% or more of the equity capital or which holds 10% or more of the equity capital of the Promoter, or
(iii) any corporate body in which a group of individuals or corporate bodies or combinations thereof who hold 20% or more of the equity capital in that company also hold 20% or more of the equity capital of the `Promoter'; and
(4) in case of an individual,
(i) any company in which 10% or more of the share capital is held by the `Promoter' or a relative of the `Promoter' or a firm or Hindu undivided family in which the `Promoter' or his relative is a partner or co-parcener or a combination thereof,
(ii) any company in which a company specified in (i) above, holds 10% or more of the share capital, or
(iii) any HUF or firm in which the aggregate share of the Promoter and his relatives is equal to or more than 10% of the total.
(i) " public financial institution" means a public financial institution as defined in Section 4A of the Companies Act, 1956.
(j) "public shareholding " means shareholding in the hands of person(s) other than the acquirer and persons acting in concert with him;
(k) "shares" means shares in the share capital of a company carrying voting rights and includes any security which would entitle the holder to receive shares with voting rights.
(l) "sick industrial company" shall have the same meaning assigned to it in clause (o) of sub-section (1) of Section 3 of the Sick Industrial Companies (Special Provisions) Act, 1985 (1 of 1986) or any statutory re-enactment thereof.
(m) "state level financial institution" means a state financial corporation established under Section 3 of the State Financial Institutions Act, 1951 and includes development corporation established as a company by a State Government with the object of development of industries or agricultural activities in the state;
(n) "stock exchange" means a stock exchange which has been granted recognition under Section 4 of the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956 (42 of 1956);
(o) "target company" means a listed company whose shares or voting rights or control is directly or indirectly acquired or is being acquired;
(2) All other expressions unless defined herein shall have the same meaning as have been assigned to them under the Act or the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956, or the Companies Act, 1956, or any statutory modification or reenactment thereto, as the case may be.
Applicability of the Regulation
3 (1) Nothing contained in Regulations 10, Regulation 11 and Regulation 12 of these Regulations shall apply to :
(a) allotment in pursuance of an application made to a public issue. Provided that if such an allotment is made pursuant to a firm allotment in the public issues, such allotment shall be exempt only if full disclosures are made in the prospectus about the identity of the acquirer who has agreed to acquire the shares, thepurpose of acquisition, consequential changes in voting rights, shareholding pattern of the company and in the Board of Directors of the Company, if any, and whether such allotment would result in change in control over the company.
(b) allotment pursuant to an application made by the shareholder for rights issue,
(i) to the extent of his entitlement; and
(ii) upto the percentage specified in Regulation 11. Provided that the limit mentioned in sub-clause (ii) will not apply to the acquisition by any person presently in control of the company and who has in the rights letter of offer made disclosures that they intend to acquire additional shares beyond their entitlement if the issue is undersubscribed.
Provided further that this exemption shall not beavailable in case the acquisition of securities results in the change of control of management.
(c) preferential allotment, made in pursuance of a resolution passed under Section 81 (1A) of the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956).
Provided that,
(i) Board Resolution in respect of the proposed preferential allotment is sent to all the stock exchanges on which the shares of the company are listed for being notified on the notice board;
(ii) full disclosures of the identity of the class of the proposed allottee (s) is made, and if any of the proposed allottee (s) is to be allotted such number of shares as would increase his holding to 5% or more of the post issued capital, then in such cases, the price at which the allotment is proposed, the identity of such person(s), the purpose of and reason for such allotment, consequential changes, if any, in the board of directors of the company and in voting rights, the shareholding pattern of the company, and whether such allotment would result in change in control over the company are all disclosed in the notice of the General Meeting called for the purpose of consideration of the preferential allotment;
(d) allotment to the underwriters pursuant to any underwriting agreement;
(e) interse transfer of shares amongst :-
(i) group companies, coming within the definition of group as defined in the Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Act, 1969 (25 of 1969) ;
(ii) relatives within the meaning of Section 6 of the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956) ;
iii) (a) Indian promoters and foreigncollaborators who are shareholders;
(b) Promoters.
Provided that the transferor(s) as well as the transferee(s) in sub-clauses (a) and (b) have been holding individually or collectively not less than 5% shares in the target company for a period of at least three years prior to the proposed acquisition;
Explanation : The benefit of availing of exemption from applicability of Regulations for increasing shareholding or inter se transfer of shareholding among group companies, relatives and promoters shall be subject to such group companies or relatives or promoters filing statements concerning group and individual shareholding as required under Regulations 6,Regulation 7 and Regulation 8.
(f) acquisition of shares in the ordinary course of business by,-
i) a registered stock-broker of a stock exchange on behalf of clients;
ii) a registered market maker of a stock exchange in respect of shares for which he is the market maker, during the course of market making;
iii) by Public Financial Institutions on their own account;
iv) by banks and public financial institutions as pledgees;
g) acquisition of shares by way of transmission on succession or inheritance;
(h) acquisition of shares by government companies within the meaning of Section 617 of the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956) and statutory corporations;
(i) transfer of shares from state level financial institutions, including their subsidiaries, to co-promoter(s) of the company pursuant to an agreement between such financial institution and such co-promoter(s);
(j) pursuant to a scheme - (i) framed under Section 18 of the Sick Industrial Companies (Special Provisions) Act,1985;
(ii) of arrangement or reconstruction including amalgamation or merger or demerger under any law or regulation, Indian or foreign.
(k) acquisition of shares in companies whose shares are not listed on any stock exchange;
Explanation : The exemption under clause(k) above shall not be applicable if by virtue of acquisition or change of control of any unlisted company, whether in India or abroad, the acquirer acquires shares or voting rights or control over a listed company.
(l) such other cases as may be exempted from the applicability of Chapter III by the Board under Regulation 4.
(2) Nothing contained in Chapter III of the Regulations shallapply to the acquisition of Global Depository Receipts or American Depository Receipts so long as they are not converted into shares carrying voting rights.
(3) In respect of acquisitions under clauses (c),(e),(h) and (i) of sub-regulation (1), the stock exchanges where the shares of the company are listed shall, for information of the public, be notified of the details of the proposed transactions at least 4 working days in advance of the date of the proposed acquisition, in case of acquisition exceeding 1[5%] of the voting share capital of the company.
(4) In respect of acquisitions under clauses (a),(b),(c),(e) and (I) of sub-regulation (1), the acquirer shall, within 21 days of the date of acquisition, submit a report alongwith suppporting documents to the Board giving all details in respect of acquisitions which (taken together with shares or voting rights, if any, held by him or by persons acting in concert with him) would entitle such person to exercise 2[15%] or more of the voting rights in a company.
(5) The acquirer shall, along with the report referred to under sub-regulation (4), pay a fee of Rs.10,000/- to the Board, either by a bankers cheque or demand draft in favour of the Securities and Exchange Board of India, payable at Mumbai.
The Takeover Panel
4. (1) The Board shall for the purposes of this Regulation constitute a Panel of majority of independent persons from within the categories mentioned in sub-section (5) of Section 4 of the Act.
(2) For seeking exemption under clause (l) of sub-regulation (1) of Regulation (3), the acquirer shall file an application with the Board, giving details of the proposed acquisition and the grounds on which the exemption has been sought.
(3) The acquirer shall, along with the application referred to under sub-regulation (2), pay a fee of Rs.25,000/- to the Board, either by a bankers cheque or demand draft in favour of the Securities and Exchange Board of India, payable at Mumbai.
(4) The Board shall within 5 days of the receipt of an application under sub-regulation (2) forward the application to the Panel.
(5) The Panel shall within 15 days from the date of receipt of application make a recommendation on the application to the Board.
(6) The Board shall after affording reasonable opportunity to the concerned parties and after considering all the relevant facts including the recommendations, if any, pass a reasoned order on the application under sub-regulation (2) within 30 days thereof.
(7) The order of the Board under sub-regulation (6) shall be published by the Board.
Power of the Board to grant exemption
5. In order to remove any difficulties in the interpretation or application of the provisions of these Regulations, the Board shall have the power to issue directions through guidance notes or circulars. Provided that where any direction is issued by the Board in a specific case relating to interpretation or application of any provision of these Regulations, it shall be done only after affording a reasonable opportunity to the concerned parties and after recording reasons for the direction.
1 Substituted for "2%" by the SEBI (Substantial Acquisition of Shares and Takeovers Amendment Regulations, 1998 w.e.f. 28/10/98.
2 Substituted for "10%" by the SEBI (Substantial Acquisition of Shares and Takeovers) Amendment Regulations, 1998 w.e.f. 28/10/98.
CHAPTER II
DISCLOSURES OF SHAREHOLDING AND CONTROL IN A LISTED COMPANY
Transitional provision
6. (1) Any person, who holds more than five percent shares or voting rights in any company, shall within two months of notification of these Regulations disclose his aggregate shareholding in that company, to the company.
(2) Every company whose shares are held by the persons referred to in sub-regulation (1) shall, within three months from the date of notification of these Regulations, disclose to all the stock exchanges on which the shares of the company are listed, the aggregate number of shares held by each person.
(3) A promoter or any person having control over a company shall within two months of notification of these Regulations disclose the number and percentage of shares or voting rights held by him and by person(s) acting in concert with him in that company, to the company.
(4) Every company, whose shares are listed on a stock exchange, shall within three months of notification of these Regulations, disclose to all the stock exchanges on which the shares of the company are listed, the names and addresses of promoters and, or person(s) having control over the company, and number and percentage of shares or voting rights held by each such person.
Acquisition of 5% and more shares of a company
7. (1) Any acquirer, who acquires shares or voting rights which (taken together with shares or voting rights, if any, held by him) would entitle him to more than five percent shares or voting rights in a company, in any manner whatsoever, shall disclose the aggregate of his shareholding or voting rights in that company, to the company.
(2) The disclosures mentioned in sub-regulation (1) shall be made within four working days of, -
(a) the receipt of intimation of allotment of shares; or
(b) the acquisition of shares or voting rights, as the case may be.
(3) Every company, whose shares are acquired in a manner referred to in sub-regulation (1), shall disclose to all the stock exchanges on which the shares of the said company are listed the aggregate number of shares held by each of such persons referred above within seven days of receipt of information under sub-regulation (1).
Continual disclosures
8. (1) Every person, including a person mentioned in Regulation 6 who holds more than 3[fifteen] percent shares or voting rights in any company, shall, within 21 days from the financial year ending March 31, make yearly disclosures to the company, in respect of his holdings as on 31st March.
(2) A promoter or every person having control over a company shall, within 21 days from the financial year ending March 31, as well as the record date of the company for the purposes of declaration of dividend, disclose the number and percentage of shares or voting rights held by him and by persons acting in concert with him, in that company to the company .
(3) Every company whose shares are listed on a stock exchange, shall within 30 days from the financial year ending March 31, as well as the record date of the company for the purposes of declaration of dividend, make yearly disclosures to all the stock exchanges on which the shares of the company are listed, the changes, if any, in respect of the holdings of the persons referred to under sub-regulation (1) and also holdings of promoters or person(s) having control over the company as on 31st March.
(4) Every company whose shares are listed on a stock exchange shall maintain a register in the specified format to record the information received under sub-regulation (3) of Regulation 6, sub-regulation (1) of Regulation 7 and sub-regulation (2) of Regulation 8.
Power to call for information
9. The stock exchanges and the company shall furnish to the Board information with regard to the disclosures made under Regulations 6,Regulation 7 and Regulation 8 as and when required by the Board.
3 Substituted for "ten" by the SEBI (Substantial Acquisition of Shares and Takeovers) Amendment Regulations, 1998 w.e.f. 28/10/98.
CHAPTER III
SUBSTANTIAL ACQUISITION OF SHARES OR VOTING RIGHTS IN AND ACQUISITION OF CONTROL OVER A LISTED COMPANY:
Acquisition Of 4[15%] or more of the shares or voting rights of any company Consolidation of holdings
10. No acquirer shall acquire shares or voting rights which (taken together with shares or voting rights, if any, held by him or by persons acting in concert with him), entitle such acquirer to exercise 5[fifteen] percent or more of the voting rights in a company, unless such acquirer makes a public announcement to acquire shares of such company in accordance with the Regulations.
Acquisition of control over a company
11.(1) No acquirer who, together with persons acting in concert with him, has acquired, in accordance with the provisions of law, 6[15% or more but less than 75%] of the shares or voting rights in a company, shall acquire, either by himself or through or with persons acting in concert with him, additional shares or voting rights entitling him to exercise more than 7[5%] of the voting rights, in any period of 12 months, unless such acquirer makes a public announcement to acquire shares in accordance with the Regulations.
(2) 8[No acquirer, who together with persons acting in concert with him has acquired , in accordance with the provisions of law, 75% of the shares or voting rights in a company, shall acquire either by himself or through persons acting in concert with him any additional shares or voting rights, unless such acquirer makes a public announcement to acquire shares in accordance with the regulations] Explanation: For the purposes of Regulation 10 and Regulation 11, acquisition shall mean and include,- (a) direct acquisition in a listed company to which the Regulations apply;
(b) indirect acquisition by virtue of acquisition of holding companies, whether listed or unlisted, whether in India or abroad.
12. Irrespective of whether or not there has been any acquisition of shares or voting rights in a company, no acquirer shall acquire control over the target company, unless such person makes a public announcement to acquire shares and acquires such shares in accordance with the Regulations.
Provided that nothing contained herein shall apply to any change in control which takes place in pursuance to a resolution passed by the shareholders in a general meeting.
Explanation :
(i) For the purposes of this Regulation where there are two or more persons in control over the target company, the cessor of any one such person from such control shall not be deemed to be a change in control of management nor shall any change in the nature and quantum of control amongst them constitute change in control of management.
Provided however that if the transfer of joint control to sole control is through sale at less than the market value of the shares, a shareholders meeting of the target company shall be convened to determine mode of disposal of the shares of the outgoing shareholder, by a letter of offer or by block-transfer to the existing shareholders in control in accordance with the decision passed by a special resolution. Market value in such cases shall be determined in accordance with Regulation 20 .
(ii) where any person or persons are given joint control, such control shall not be deemed to be a change in control so long as the control given is equal to or less than the control exercised by person(s) presently having control over the comp any.
Appointment of a Merchant Banker
13. Before making any public announcement of offer referred to in Regulation 10 or Regulation 11 or Regulation 12, the acquirer shall appoint a merchant banker in Category I holding a certificate of registration granted by the Board, who is not associate of or group of the acquirer or the target company
Timing of the Public Announcement of Offer
14. (1) The public announcement referred to in Regulation 10 or Regulation 11 shall be made by the merchant banker not later than four working days of entering into an agreement for acquisition of shares or voting rights or deciding to acquire shares or voting rights exceeding the respective percentage specified therein.
(2) In case of an acquirer acquiring securities, including Global Depositories Receipts or American Depository Receipts which, when taken together with the voting rights, if any already held by him or persons acting in concert with him, would entitle him to voting rights, exceeding the percentage specified in Regulation 10 or Regulation 11, the public announcement referred to in sub-regulation(1) shall be made not later than four working days before he acquires voting rights on such securities upon conversion, or exercise of option, as the case may be.
(3) The public announcement referred to in Regulation 12 shall be made by the merchant banker not later than four working days after any such change or changes are decided to be made as would result in the acquisition of control over the target company by the acquirer.
Public Announcement of Offer
15. (1) The public announcement to be made under Regulations 10 or Regulation 11 or Regulation 12 shall be made in all editions of one English national daily with wide circulation, one Hindi national daily with wide circulation and a regional language daily with wide circulation at the place where the registered office of the target company is situated and at the place of the stock exchange where the shares of the target company are most frequently traded.
(2) A copy of the public announcement to be made under Regulations 10 or Regulation 11 or Regulation 12 shall be submitted to the Board through the merchant banker at least two working days before its issuance.
(3) Simultaneous with the submission of the public announcement to the Board, the public announcement shall also be sent to all the stock exchanges on which the shares of the company are listed for being notified on the notice board, and to the target company at its registered office for being placed before the board of directors of the Company. (4) The offer under these Regulations shall be deemed to have been made on the date on which the public announcement has appeared in any of the newspapers referred to in sub-regulation (1).
Contents of the Public Announcement of Offer
16. The public announcement referred to in Regulations 10 or Regulation 11 or Regulation 12 shall contain the following particulars, namely :-
Brochures, advertising material etc.
Submission of Letter of offer to the Board
17. The public announcement of the offer or any other advertisement, circular, brochure, publicity material or letter of offer issued in relation to the acquisition of shares shall not contain any misleading information.
18. (1) Within fourteen days from the date of public announcement made under Regulation 10, Regulation 11 or Regulation 12 as the case may be, the acquirer shall, through its merchant banker, file with the Board, the draft of the letter of offer, containing disclosures as specified by the Board.
(2) The letter of offer shall be despatched to the shareholders not earlier than 21 days from its submission to the Board under sub-regulation (1).
Provided that if, within 21 days from the date of submission of the letter of offer, the Board specifies changes, if any, in the letter of offer, (without being under any obligation to do so) the merchant banker and the acquirer shall carry out such changes before the letter of offer is despatched to the shareholders.
(3) The acquirer shall, along with the draft letter of offer referred to in sub-regulation (1), pay a fee of Rs.50,000/- to the Board, either by a banker's cheque or demand draft in favour of the Securities and Exchange Board of India, payable at Mumbai.
Specified date
19. The public announcement shall specify a date, which shall be the `specified date' for the purpose of determining the names of the shareholders to whom the letter of offer should be sent. Provided that such specified date shall not be later than the thirtieth day from the date of the public announcement.
Minimum offer price
20. (1) The offer to acquire the shares under Regulations 10, Regulation 11 or Regulation 12 shall be made at a minimum offer price which shall be payable -
Provided that where payment has been made in cash to any class of shareholders for acquiring their shares under any agreement or pursuant to any acquisition in the open market or in any other manner during the preceding 12 months from the date of public announcement, the offer document shall provide that the shareholders have the option to accept payment either in cash or by exchange of shares or other secured instruments referred to above.
(2) For the purposes of sub-regulation (1), the minimum offer price shall be the highest of -
(3) Where the shares of the target company are infrequently traded, the offer price shall be determined by the issuer and the merchant banker taking into account the following factors :
Explanation:
(4) Notwithstanding the provisions of sub-regulations (1), (2) and (3) above, where the acquirer has acquired shares in the open market or through negotiation or otherwise, after the date of public announcement at a price higher than the minim um offer price stated in the letter of offer, then the highest price paid for such acquisition shall be payable for all acceptances received under the offer.
(5) In case where shares or secured instruments of the acquirer company are offered in lieu of cash payment, the value of such shares or secured instruments shall be determined in the same manner as mentioned in sub-regulations (2) and (3) above to the extent applicable, as duly certified by an independent Category I Merchant Banker (other than the managers to the offer) or an independent Chartered Accountant of 10 years standing.
(6) The letter of offer shall contain justification on the basis on which the price has been determined.
Explanation :
Minimum number of shares to be acquired
21. (1) The public offer shall be made to the shareholders of the target company to acquire from them an aggregate minimum of 20% of the voting capital of the company. Provided that where the open offer is made in pursuance to sub-regulation (2) of Regulation 11, the public offer shall be for such percentage of the voting capital of the company as may be decided by the acquirer.
(2) Where the offer is conditional upon minimum level of acceptances from the shareholders as provided for in clause (xviii) of Regulation 16, the provisions of sub-regulation (1) of this regulation shall not be applicable, if the acquirer has deposited in the escrow account in cash a sum of 50% of the consideration payable under the public offer.
(3) If the public offer results in the public shareholding being reduced to 10% or less of the voting capital of the company, or if the public offer is in respect of a company which has public shareholding of less than 10% of the voting capita l of the company, the acquirer shall either, -
(4) The letter of offer shall state clearly the option available to the acquirer under sub-regulation (3).
(5) For the purpose of computing the percentage referred to sub-regulation (1), (2) and (3) the voting rights as at the expiration of 30 days after the closure of the public offer shall be reckoned.
(6) Where the number of shares offered for sale by the shareholders are more than the shares agreed to be acquired by the person making the offer, such person shall, accept the offers received from the shareholders on a proportional basis, in consultation with the merchant banker, taking care to ensure that the basis of acceptance is decided in a fair and equitable manner and does not result in non-marketable lots. Provided that acquisition of shares from a shareholder shall not be less than the minimum marketable lot or the entire holding if it is less than the marketable lot.
General Obligations of the acquirer
22. (1) The public announcement of offer to acquire the shares of the target company shall be made only when the acquirer is able to implement the offer.
(2) Within 14 days of the public announcement of the offer, the acquirer shall send a copy of the draft letter of offer to the target company at its registered office address, for being placed before the board of directors and to all the stock exchanges where the shares of the company are listed.
(3) The acquirer shall ensure that the letter of offer is sent to all the shareholders (including non-resident Indians) of the target company, whose names appear on the register of members of the company as on the specified date mentioned in the public announcement, so as to reach them within 45 days from the date of public announcement.
Provided that where the public announcement is made pursuant to an agreement to acquire shares or control over the target company, the letter of offer shall be sent to shareholders other than the parties to the agreement.
Explanation :
(i) A copy of the letter of offer shall also be sent to the Custodians of Global Depository Receipts or American Depository Receipts to enable such persons to participate in the open offer, if they are entitled to do so.
(ii) A copy of the letter of offer shall also be sent to warrant holders or convertible debenture holders, where the period of exercise of option or conversion falls within the offer period.
(4) The date of opening of the offer shall be not later than the sixtieth day from the date of public announcement.
(5) The offer to acquire shares from the shareholders shall remain open for a period of 30 days.
(6) In case the acquirer is a company, the public announcement of offer, brochure, circular, letter of offer or any other advertisement or publicity material issued to shareholders in connection with the offer must state that the directors accept the responsibility for the information contained in such documents.
Provided that if any of the directors desires to exempt himself from responsibility for the information in such document, such director shall issue a statement to that effect, together with reasons thereof for such statement.
(7) During the offer period, the acquirer or persons acting in concert with him shall not be entitled to be appointed on the board of directors of the target company.
(8) Where an offer is made conditional upon minimum level of acceptances, the acquirer or any person acting in concert with him -
(i) shall, irrespective of whether or not the offer received response to the minimum level of acceptances, acquire shares from the public to the extent of the minimum percentage specified in sub-regulation (1) of Regulation 21. Provided that the provisions of this clause shall not be applicable in case the acquirer has deposited in the escrow account, in cash, 50% of the consideration payable under the public offer.
(ii) shall not acquire, during the offer period, any shares in the target company, except by way of fresh issue of shares of the target company, as provided for under Regulation 3;
iii) shall be liable for penalty of forfeiture of entire escrow amount, for the non-fulfilment of obligations under the Regulations;
(9) If any of the persons representing or having interest in the acquirer is already a director on the board of the target company or is an "insider" within the meaning of Securities and Exchange Board of India (Insider Trading) Regulations, 1992, he shall recuse himself and not participate in any matter(s) concerning or 'relating' to the offer including any preparatory steps leading to the offer.
(10) On or before the date of issue of public announcement of offer, the acquirer shall create an escrow account as provided under Regulation 28.
(11) The acquirer shall ensure that firm financial arrangements has been made for fulfilling the obligations under the public offer and suitable disclosures in this regard shall be made in the public announcement of offer.
(12) The acquirer shall, within a period of 30 days from the date of the closure of the offer, complete all procedures relating to the offer including payment of consideration to the shareholders who have accepted the offer and for the purpose open a special account as provided under Regulation 29.
Provided that where the acquirer is unable to make the payment to the shareholders who have accepted the offer before the said period of 30 days due to non-receipt of requisite statutory approvals, the Board may, if satisfied that non-receipt of requisite statutory approvals was not due to any wilful default or neglect of the acquirer or failure of the acquirer to diligently pursue the applications for such approvals, grant extension of time for the purpose, subject to the acquirer agreeing to pay interest to the shareholders for delay beyond 30 days, as may be specified by the Board from time to time.
(13) Where the acquirer fails to obtain the requisite statutory approvals in time on account of willful default or neglect or inaction or non-action on his part, the amount lying in the escrow account shall be liable to be forfeited and dealt wit h in the manner provided in clause (e) of sub regulation 12 of Regulation 28, apart from the acquirer being liable for penalty as provided in the Regulations.
(14) In the event of withdrawal of offer in terms of the Regulations, the acquirer shall not make any offer for acquisition of shares of the target company for a period of six months from the date of public announcement of withdrawal of offer.
(15) In the event of non-fulfillment of obligations under Chapter III or Chapter IV of the Regulations, the acquirer shall not make any offer for acquisition of shares of any listed company for a period of twelve months from the date of closure of offer.
(16) If the acquirer, in pursuance to an agreement, acquires shares which along with his existing holding, if any, increases his share holding beyond 10[15%], then such an agreement for sale of shares shall contain a clause to the effect that in ca se of non-compliance of any provisions of this regulation, the agreement for such sale shall not be acted upon by the seller or the acquirer.
(17) Where the acquirer or persons acting in concert with him has acquired any shares 11[ in terms of sub- regulation (4) of regulation 20] he, shall disclose the number, percentage, price and the mode of acquisition of such shares to the stock exchanges on which the shares of the target company are listed and to the merchant banker, within 24 hours of such acquisition.
(18) Where the acquirer has not either, in the public announcement, and, or in the letter of offer, stated his intention to dispose of or otherwise encumber any assets of the target company except in the ordinary course of business of the target company, the acquirer, where he has acquired control over the target company, shall be debarred from disposing of or otherwise encumbering the assets of the target company for a period of 2 years from the date of closure of the public offer.
General Obligations of the board of directors of the target company
23. (1) Unless the approval of the general body of shareholders is obtained after the date of the public announcement of offer, the board of directors of the target company shall not, during the offer period, -
Explanation : Restriction on issue of securities under clause (b) of sub-regulation (1) shall not affect the right of the target company to issue and allot shares carrying voting rights upon conversion of debentures already issued o r upon exercise of option against warrants, as per pre-determined terms of conversion/ exercise of option.
(2) The target company shall furnish to the acquirer, within 7 days of the request of the acquirer or within 7 days from the specified date, whichever is later, a list of shareholders or warrant holders or convertible debenture holders as are eligible for participation under Explanation (ii) to sub-regulation (3) of Regulation 22 containing names, addresses, shareholding and folio number, and of those persons whose applications for registration of transfer of share s are pending with the company.
(3) Once the public announcement has been made, the board of directors of the target company shall not, -
(4) The board of directors of the target company may, if they so desire, send their unbiased comments and recommendations on the offer(s) to the shareholders, keeping in mind the fiduciary responsibility of the directors to the shareholders an d for the purpose seek the opinion of an independent merchant banker or a Committee of Independent Directors;
Provided that for any misstatement or for concealment of material information, the directors shall be liable for action in terms of these Regulations and the Act.
(5) The board of directors of the target company shall facilitate the acquirer in verification of securities tendered for acceptances.
(6) Upon fulfillment of all obligations by the acquirers under the Regulations as certified by the merchant banker, the board of directors of the target company shall transfer the securities acquired by the acquirer, whether under the agreement or from open market purchases, in the name of the acquirer and, or allow such changes in the board of directors as would give the acquirer representation on the board or control over the company.
(7) The obligations provided for in sub-regulation (16) of regulation 22 shall be complied with by the company in the circumstances specified therein.
General obligations of the merchant banker
24. (1) Before the public announcement of offer is made, the merchant banker shall ensure that-
(2) The merchant banker shall furnish to the Board a due diligence certificate which shall accompany the draft letter of offer.
(3) The merchant banker shall ensure that the draft public announcement and the letter of offer is filed with the Board, target company and also sent to all the stock exchanges on which the shares of the target company are listed in accordance with the Regulations.
(4) The merchant banker shall ensure that the contents of the public announcement of offer as well as the letter of offer are true, fair and adequate and based on reliable sources, quoting the source wherever necessary.
(5) The merchant banker shall ensure compliance of the Regulations and any other laws or rules as may be applicable in this regard.
(6) Upon fulfillment of all obligations by the acquirers under the Regulations, the merchant banker shall cause the bank with whom the escrow amount has been deposited to release the balance amount to the acquirers.
(7) The merchant banker shall send a final report to the Board within 45 days from the date of closure of the offer.
Competitive bid
25. (1) Any person, other than the acquirer who has made the first public announcement, who is desirous of making any offer, shall, within 21 days of the public announcement of the first offer, make a public announcement of his offer for acquisition of the shares of the same target company.
Explanation : An offer made under sub-regulation (1) shall be deemed to be a competitive bid.
2) No public announcement for an offer or competitive bid shall be made after 21 days from the date of public announcement of the first offer.
(3) Any competitive offer by an acquirer shall be for such number of shares which, when taken together with shares held by him alongwith persons acting in concert with him, shall be atleast equal to the number of shares for which the first public announcement has been made.
(4) Upon the public announcement of a competitive bid or bids, the acquirer(s) who had made the public announcement(s) of the earlier offer(s), shall have the option to make an announcement -
(7) Where there is a competitive bid, the date of closure of the original bid as also the date of closure of all the subsequent competitive bids shall be the date of closure of public offer under the last subsisting competitive bid and the public offers under all the subsisting bids shall close on the same date.
Upward Revision of Offer
26. Irrespective of whether or not there is a competitive bid, the acquirer who has made the public announcement of offer, may make upward revisions in his offer in respect to the price and the number of shares to be acquired, at anytime upto seven working days prior to the date of the closure of the offer.
Provided that any such upward revision of offer shall be made only upon the acquirer
Withdrawal of Offer
27. (1) No public offer, once made, shall be withdrawn except under the following circumstances : -
(2) In the event of withdrawal of the offer under any of the circumstances specified under sub-regulation (1), the acquirer or the merchant banker shall :
Provision of Escrow
28. (1) The acquirer shall as and by way of security for performance of his obligations under the Regulations, deposit in an escrow account such sum as specified in sub-regulation(2).
(2) The escrow amount shall be calculated in the following manner, -
(3) The total consideration payable under the public offer shall be calculated assuming full acceptances and at the highest price if the offer is subject to differential pricing, irrespective of whether the consideration for the offer is payable in cash or otherwise.
(4) The escrow account referred in sub-regulation (1) shall consist of, -
(5) Where the escrow account consists of deposit with a scheduled commercial bank, the acquirer shall, while opening the account, empower the merchant banker appointed for the offer to instruct the bank to issue a banker's cheque or demand draft for the amount lying to the credit of the escrow account, as provided in the Regulations.
(6) Where the escrow account consists of bank guarantee, such bank guarantee shall be in favour of the merchant banker and shall be valid atleast for a period commencing from the date of public announcement until 30 days after the closure of t he offer.
(7) The acquirer shall, in case the escrow account consists of securities empower the merchant banker to realise the value of such escrow account by sale or otherwise provided that if there is any deficit on realisation of the value of the securities, the merchant banker shall be liable to make good any such deficit.
(8) In case the escrow account consists of bank guarantee or approved securities, these shall not be returned by the merchant banker till after completion of all obligations under the Regulations.
(9) In case there is any upward revision of offer, consequent upon a competitive bid or otherwise, the value of the escrow account shall be increased to equal at least 10% of the consideration payable upon such revision.
(10) Where the escrow account consist of bank guarantee or deposit of approved securities, the acquirer shall also deposit with the bank a sum of at least 1% of the total consideration payable, as and by way of security for fulfillment of the obligations under the Regulations by the acquirers.
(11) The Board shall in case of non-fulfillment of obligations under the Regulations by the acquirer forfeit the escrow account either in full or in part.
(12) The escrow account deposited with the bank in cash shall be released only in the following manne
(13) In the event of non-fulfillment of obligations by the acquirer, the merchant banker shall ensure realisation of escrow amount by way of foreclosure of deposit, invocation of bank guarantee or sale of securities and credit proceeds thereof t o the regional stock exchange of the target company, for the credit of the Investor Protection Fund or any other similar fund.
Payment of consideration
29. (1) For the amount of consideration payable in cash, the acquirer shall, within a period of 21 days from the date of closure of the offer, open a special account with a Bankers to an Issue registered with the Board and deposit therein, such sum as would, together with 90% of the amount lying in the escrow account, if any, make up the entire sum due and payable to the shareholders as consideration for acceptances received and accepted in terms of these Regulations and for this purpose, transfer the funds from the escrow account.
(2) The unclaimed balance lying to the credit of the account referred in sub-regulation (1) at the end of 3 years from the date of deposit thereof shall be transferred to the investor protection fund of the regional stock exchange of the target company.
(3) In respect of consideration payable by way of exchange of securities, the acquirer shall ensure that the securities are actually issued and despatched to the shareholders.
4 Substituted for "10%" by the SEBI (Substantial Acquisition of Shares and Takeovers Amendment Regulations, 1998 w.e.f. 28/10/98.
5 Substituted for "ten" by the SEBI (Substantial Acquisition of Shares and Takeovers) Amendment Regulations, 1998 w.e.f. 28/10/98.
6 Substituted for "[not less than 10% but not more than 51%]" by the SEBI (Substantial Acquisition of Shares and Takeovers) Amendment Regulations, 1998 w.e.f. 28/10/98.
7 Substituted for "2%" by the SEBI (Substantial Acquisition of Shares and Takeovers) Amendment Regulations, 1998 w.e.f. 28/10/98.
8 Substituted for "No acquirer shall acquire shares or voting rights which (taken together with shares or voting rights, if any, held by him or by persons acting in concert with him), entitle such acquirer to exercise more than 51% of the voting rights in a company, unless such acquirer makes a public announcement to acquire share of such company in accordance with the Regulations" by the SEBI (Substantial Acquisition of Shares and Takeovers) Amendment Regulations, 1998 w.e.f. 28/10/98.
9 Inserted by the SEBI (Substantial Acquisition of Shares and Takeovers) Amendment Regulations, 1998 w.e.f. 28/10/98.
10 Substituted for "10%" by the SEBI (Substantial Acquisition of Shares and Takeovers) Amendment Regulations, 1998 w.e.f. 28/10/98.
11 Substituted for "after the date of public announcement" by the SEBI (Substantial Acquisition of Shares and Takeovers) Amendment Regulations, 1998 w.e.f. 28/10/98.
CHAPTER IV
BAIL OUT TAKEOVERS
Bail out takeovers
30. (1) The provisions of this Chapter shall apply to a substantial acquisition of shares in a financially weak company not being a sick industrial company, in pursuance to a scheme of rehabilitation approved by a public financial institution or a scheduled bank; (hereinafter referred to as lead institution).
(2) The lead institution shall be responsible for ensuring compliance with the provisions of this Chapter.
(3) The lead institution shall appraise the financially weak company taking into account the financial viability, and assess the requirement of funds for revival and draw up the rehabilitation package on the principle of protection of interests of minority shareholders, good management, effective revival and transparency.
(4) The rehabilitation scheme shall also specifically provide the details of any change in management.
(5) The scheme may provide for acquisition of shares in the financially weak company in any of the following manner:
(5) The letter of offer shall state clearly the option available to the acquirer under sub-regulation (4).
(6) For the purposes of computing the percentage referred to in the sub-regulation (4), the voting rights as at the expiration of thirty days after the closure of the public offer shall be reckoned.
(7) While accepting the offer from the shareholders other than the promoters or persons in charge of the financially weak company or the financial institutions, the person acquiring shares shall offer to acquire from the individual shareholder his entire holdings if such holding is upto hundred shares of the face value of rupees ten each or ten shares of the face value of rupees hundred each.
Competitive Bid
35. No person shall make a competitive bid for acquisition of shares of the financially weak company once the lead institution has evaluated the bid and accepted the bid of the acquirer who has made the public announcement of offer for acquisition of shares from the shareholders other than the promoters or the persons in charge of the management of the financially weak company.
Exemption from the operations of chapter III
36. (1) Every offer which has been made in pursuance of Regulation 30 shall be accompanied with an application to the Board for exempting such acquisitions from the provisions of Chapter III of these Regulations.
(2) For considering such request the Board may call for such information from the company as also from the lead institution, in relation to the manner of vetting the offers, evaluation of such offers and similar other matters.
(3) Notwithstanding grant of exemption by the board, the lead institution or the acquirer as far as may be possible, shall adhere to the time limits specified for various activities for public offer specified in Chapter III.
Acquisition of shares by a state level public financial institution
CHAPTER V
INVESTIGATION AND ACTION BY THE BOARD
Board's right to investigate
38. The Board may appoint one or more persons as investigating officer to undertake investigation for any of the following purposes, namely:-
Submission of Report to the Board
41. The investigating officer shall, as soon as possible, on completion of the investigation, submit a report to the Board: Provided that if directed to do so by the Board, he may submit interim reports.
Communication of findings
42. (1) The Board shall, after consideration of the investigation report referred to in Regulation 41, communicate the findings of the investigating officer to the acquirer, the seller, the target company, the merchant banker, as the case may be, and give him an opportunity of being heard.
(2) On receipt of the reply if any, from the acquirer, the seller, the target company, the merchant banker, as the case may be, the Board may call upon him to take such measures as the Board may deem fit in the interest of the securities market and for due compliance with the provisions of the Act and the Regulations.
Appointment of Auditor
43. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Regulation, the Board may appoint a qualified auditor to investigate into the books of account or the affairs of the person concerned: Provided that the auditor so appointed shall have the same powers of the investigating authority as stated in Regulation 38 and the obligations of the person concerned in Regulation 40 shall be applicable to the investigation under this Regulation.
Directions by the Board.
44. The Board may, in the interests of the securities market, without prejudice to its right to initiate action including criminal prosecution under section 24 of the Act give such directions as it deems fit including :
Penalties for non-compliance
45. (1) Any person violating any provisions of the Regulations shall be liable for action in terms of the Regulations and the Act.
(2) If the acquirer or any person acting in concert with him, fails to carry out the obligations under the Regulations, the entire or part of the sum in the escrow amount shall be liable to be forfeited and the acquirer or such a person shall also be liable for action in terms of the Regulations and the Act.
(3) The board of directors of the target company failing to carry out the obligations under the Regulations shall be liable for action in terms of the Regulations and Act.
(4) The Board may, for failure to carry out the requirements of the Regulations by an intermediary, initiate action for suspension or cancellation of registration of an intermediary holding a certificate of registration under section 12 of the Act. Provided that no such certificate of registration shall be
suspended or cancelled unless the procedure specified in the Regulations applicable to such intermediary is complied with.
(5) For any mis-statement to the shareholders or for concealment of material information required to be disclosed to the shareholders, the acquirers or the directors where he acquirer is a body corporate, the directors of the target company, the merchant banker to the public offer and the
merchant banker engaged by the target company for independent advice would be liable for action in terms of the Regulations and the Act.
(6) The penalties referred to in sub-regulation (1) to (5) may include -
Appeal to the Central Government
46. Any person being aggrieved by an order of the Board under these Regulations may prefer an appeal to the Central Government.
Repeal and Saving
47. (1) The Securities and Board of India (Substantial Acquisition of Shares and Takeovers) Regulations, 12[1994] are hereby repealed.
(2) Notwithstanding such repeal :-
F.No.SEBI/LE/XVII/1/541/97
D.R. MEHTA
CHAIRMAN
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE BOARD OF INDIA
THE GAZETTE OF INDIA
EXTRA-ORDINARY
PART II-SECTION 3 - SUB-SECTION (ii)
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE BOARD OF INDIA
NOTIFICATION
MUMBAI, THE 28th OCTOBER,1998
S.O.No.930 (E) - In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of Section 30 of the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act,1992 ( 15 of 1992 ), the Board hereby makes the following regulations to amend the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Substantial Acquisition of Shares and Takeovers ) Regulations,1997 :
I. (i) These regulations may be called the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Substantial Acquisition of Shares and Takeovers) Amendment Regulations,1998;
(ii) They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.
II. (1) In regulation 3 -
(2) In regulation 8, in sub-regulation (1), for the word "ten" appearing after the words "more than" and before the word "percent", the word "fifteen" shall be substituted.
(3) In regulation 10 -
(4) In regulation 11 -
(a) in sub-regulation (1),i. for the words and figures " not less than 10% but not more than 51%", the words and figures, " 15% or more but less than 75%", shall be substituted. for the figure "2%" appearing after the words " exercise more than" and before the words " of the voting rights" by the figure "5%" shall be substituted.
(a) for sub-regulation (2), the following sub-regulation shall be substituted, namely,
" (2) No acquirer who, together with persons acting in concert with him has acquired, in accordance with the provisions of law, 75% of the shares or voting rights in a company, shall acquire either by himself or through persons acting in concert with him any additional shares or voting rights, unless such acquirer makes a public announcement to acquire shares in accordance with the regulations."
5.In regulation 20, after sub-regulation (4), the following proviso shall be inserted; namely - "Provided that no such acquisition shall be made by the acquirer during the last seven working days prior to the closure of the offer."
(6) In regulation 22 -
Data on Take over Open Offer
