6. Guidance pertaining to special circumstances related to market activities: Termination of the Depository Participant

Type of special circumstances –

Depositories to terminate the participation in case a participant no longer meets the eligibility criteria and/or any other grounds as mentioned in the bye laws like suspension of trading member by the Stock Exchanges. Participant surrenders the participation by its own wish.

Timelines for the Activity/ Services –

Client will have a right to transfer all its securities to any other Participant of its choice without any charges for the transfer within 30 days from the date of intimation by way of letter/email.

11. Code of Conduct for Depositories

(Part D of Third Schedule of SEBI (D & P) regulations, 2018)

Depositories to terminate the participation in case a participant no longer meets the eligibility criteria and/or any other grounds as mentioned in the bye laws like suspension of trading member by the Stock Exchanges. Participant surrenders the participation by its own wish.

Timelines for the Activity/ Services –

Client will have a right to transfer all its securities to any other Participant of its choice without any charges for the transfer within 30 days from the date of intimation by way of letter/email.

• Always abide by the provisions of the Act, Depositories Act, 1996, any Rules or Regulations framed thereunder, circulars, guidelines and any other directions issued by the Board from time to time.
• Adopt appropriate due diligence measures.
• Take effective measures to ensure implementation of proper risk management framework and good governance practices.
• Take appropriate measures towards investor protection and education of investors.
• Treat all its applicants/members in a fair and transparent manner.
• Promptly inform the Board of violations of the provisions of the Act, the Depositories Act, 1996, rules, regulations, circulars, guidelines or any other directions by any of its issuer or issuer’s agent.
• Take a proactive and responsible attitude towards safeguarding the interests of investors, integrity of depository’s systems and the securities market.
• Endeavor for introduction of best business practices amongst itself and its members
• Act in utmost good faith and shall avoid conflict of interest in the conduct of its functions
• Not indulge in unfair competition, which is likely to harm the interests of any other Depository, their participants or investors or is likely to place them in a disadvantageous position while competing for or executing any assignment.
• Segregate roles and responsibilities of key management personnel within the depository including:
  1. Clearly mapping legal and regulatory duties to the concerned position
  2. Defining delegation of powers to each position
  3. Assigning regulatory, risk management and compliance aspects to business and support teams
• Be responsible for the acts or omissions of its employees in respect of the conduct of its business.
• Monitor the compliance of the rules and regulations by the participants and shall further ensure that their conduct is in a manner that will safeguard the interest of investors and the securities market.

12. Code of Conduct for Participants

(Part A of Third Schedule of SEBI (D & P) regulations, 2018)

• A participant shall make all efforts to protect the interests of investors.
• A participant shall always endeavour to –
  1. render the best possible advice to the clients having regard to the client’s needs and the environments and his own professional skills;
  2. ensure that all professional dealings are effected in a prompt, effective and efficient manner;
  3. inquiries from investors are adequately dealt with;
  4. grievances of investors are redressed without any delay.
• A participant shall maintain high standards of integrity in all its dealings with its clients and other intermediaries, in the conduct of its business.
• A participant shall be prompt and diligent in opening of a beneficial owner account, dispatch of the dematerialisation request form, rematerialisation request form and execution of debit instruction slip and in all the other activities undertaken by him on behalf of the beneficial owners.
• A participant shall endeavour to resolve all the complaints against it or in respect of the activities carried out by it as quickly as possible, and not later than one month of receipt.
• A participant shall not increase charges/fees for the services rendered without proper advance notice to the beneficial owners.
• A participant shall not indulge in any unfair competition, which is likely to harm the interests of other participants or investors or is likely to place such other participants in a disadvantageous position while competing for or executing any assignment.
• A participant shall not make any exaggerated statement whether oral or written to the clients either about its qualifications or capability to render certain services or about its achievements in regard to services rendered to other clients.
• A participant shall not divulge to other clients, press or any other person any information about its clients which has come to its knowledge except with the approval/authorisation of the clients or when it is required to disclose the information under the requirements of any Act, Rules or Regulations.
• A participant shall co-operate with the Board as and when required.
• A participant shall maintain the required level of knowledge and competency and abide by the provisions of the Act, Rules, Regulations and circulars and directions issued by the Board. The participant shall also comply with the award of the Ombudsman passed under the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Ombudsman) Regulations, 2003.
• A participant shall not make any untrue statement or suppress any material fact in any documents, reports, papers or information furnished to the Board.
• A participant shall not neglect or fail or refuse to submit to the Board or other agencies with which it is registered, such books, documents, correspondence, and papers or any part thereof as may be demanded/requested from time to time.
• A participant shall ensure that the Board is promptly informed about any action, legal proceedings, etc., initiated against it in respect of material breach or noncompliance by it, of any law, Rules, regulations, directions of the Board or of any other regulatory body.
• A participant shall maintain proper inward system for all types of mail received in all forms.
• A participant shall follow the maker — Checker concept in all of its activities to ensure the accuracy of the data and as a mechanism to check unauthorised transaction.
• A participant shall take adequate and necessary steps to ensure that continuity in data and record keeping is maintained and that the data or records are not lost or destroyed. It shall also ensure that for electronic records and data, upto- date back up is always available with it.
• A participant shall provide adequate freedom and powers to its compliance officer for the effective discharge of his duties.
• A participant shall ensure that it has satisfactory internal control procedures in place as well as adequate financial and operational capabilities which can be reasonably expected to take care of any losses arising due to theft, fraud and other dishonest acts, professional misconduct or omissions.
• A participant shall be responsible for the acts or omissions of its employees and agents in respect of the conduct of its business.
• A participant shall ensure that the senior management, particularly decision makers have access to all relevant information about the business on a timely basis.
• A participant shall ensure that good corporate policies and corporate governance are in place.