Procedure for Change in the Controlling Interest of the Asset Management Company

Jan 28, 2003

 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE BOARD OF INDIA

MUTUAL FUNDS DEPARTMENT

Procedure for Change in the Controlling Interest of the

Asset Management Company

 

Requirement of Regulations

According to Regulation 22(e) of SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996, no change in the controlling interest of the asset management company can be made unless,

  1. prior approval of the trustees and the Board (i.e. SEBI) is obtained;

  2. a written communication about the proposed change is sent to each unitholder and an advertisement is given in one English daily newspaper having nationwide circulation and in a newspaper published in the language of the region where the Head Office of the mutual fund is situated; and

  3. the unitholders are given an option to exit on the prevailing Net Asset Value without any exit load.

All the conditions prescribed above are required to be complied with. It is advised that the mutual funds should give at least 30 days time period to the unitholders to exercise the exit option.

 

New Sponsors

In case the applicant proposing to take the control of the mutual fund is not an existing mutual fund registered with SEBI, it should apply to SEBI for registration under SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996. The entire procedure for registration under SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996 is given on the SEBI website under the heading "How to get registered as a mutual fund" in the ‘Mutual Fund’ section.

 

Undertakings by new trustees/Sponsors

In case of new sponsors or in case of taking over of the schemes by an existing mutual fund, the undertakings on the following lines are required to be given in the interest of unitholders:

  1. Taking full responsibility of the management and the administration of the schemes including the matters relating to the reconciliation of accounts (as if the schemes had been floated by the new trustees on the date of taking over).
  2. Assumption of the trusteeship of the assets and liabilities of the schemes including unclaimed dividends and unclaimed redemptions.
  3. Assuming all responsibilities and obligations relating to the investor grievances, if any, in respect of the schemes taken over, in accordance with and pursuant to the SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations.

 

Disclosures to Unitholders

While seeking the approval of SEBI for change in the controlling interest of the asset management company, the mutual fund handing over the control to another person, should also file the draft letter to be sent to the unitholders.

The draft letter to the unitholders should include the following information –

(a) the activities of the new sponsor and its financial performance as prescribed in the standard offer document;

(b) In case of taking over of the schemes by an existing mutual fund registered with SEBI, the draft letter should also include the condensed financial information of all the schemes in the format prescribed in the standard offer document;

(c) The amount of unclaimed redemption and dividend and also the procedure for claiming such amount by the unitholders.

 

Communication by SEBI

While approving the change in controlling interest of the AMC, SEBI may communicate any further observations, as necessary.

 

Revision of Offer Documents

The information given in the offer documents of existing schemes shall be revised and updated pursuant to the change in controlling interest of the mutual fund. Such addendum shall also be filed with SEBI, as required under the SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations and Guidelines.

Other Situations

In case of any other situation like indirect control of the asset management company or change in the promoters of the sponsor, etc, the mutual fund should provide full information to SEBI for advice on the further course of action.

In case of any difficulty, SEBI will guide the applicant step by step after getting application for change in the controlling interest of the asset management company. Normally, all replies are sent within 21 working days from the date of getting each communication from the applicant during the process of change in the controlling interest of the asset management company.

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