1. This is with reference to Exchange Notice No.20180214-31 dated February 14, 2018, and other circulars issued by the Exchange from time to time wherein disciplinary actions, were prescribed for various regulatory non-compliances with respect to inspection observations, delay or non-submission of various periodic submissions, non-adherence to membership / compliance requirements, non-compliances/actions related to surveillance /investigation matters, noncompliances by the Market Maker in SME Segment, disciplinary action in case of Net worth shortfall and non-submission of Net worth, non-adherence to the requirements on Technical Glitches to prevent business disruptions, non-compliance to cyber security requirements, nonadherence to client code modification requirements and others.
2. With the objective of standardizing the disciplinary framework applicable to Trading Members across Exchanges, a Working Group constituted by SEBI, comprising of Members from all Exchanges and Stockbroker Associations (ANMI, BBF & CPAI), after detailed deliberations, has prescribed a uniform structure for actions across Exchanges.
3. The list of violations / non-compliances, their classification and the corresponding prescribed actions, approved by SEBI is as detailed in Annexure – 1
4. The provisions of this Notice shall be applicable with immediate effect as under:
5. Trading Members are requested to note that actions on all procedural lapses / technical errors are classified as ‘Financial disincentive’ (mentioned in Annexure – 1) on determination of such lapses / errors for all reporting purposes.
6. Trading Members may please note that the violations / non-compliances, where the penal actions / financial disincentives are not prescribed in Annexure – 1, such cases shall continue to be placed before Member Committee (“MC”), and the decisions of the MC shall be communicated to Trading Members by way of Action Letters / Orders.
7. The existing process of placing matters before MC will continue to be followed for any action like disablement of terminals, suspension, expulsion, declaration of default and any other critical violations deemed fit by the Committee. In such cases, the Exchange shall issue an Letter of Observation (LO) to seek Trading Member response. Thereafter, based on the response received on the LO, if the observation persists, the Exchange shall issue Show Cause Notice (SCN). An opportunity of personal hearing before MC may be provided. However, the actions like disablement of the trading terminals, prohibition of onboarding of new clients, blocking collateral etc. shall continue to be applicable as per existing provisions/process for the following:
8. Trading Members must take note of the violations / non-compliances notified in the Letter of Observations (LO) and Show Cause Notice (SCN). It is in the interest of the Trading Members to submit complete, accurate and correct information in response to Exchangecommunications along with complete documentary evidence to substantiate their response within the timelines specified in the LO / SCN. Upon receipt of Trading Members’ response to LO / SCN, the Exchange shall consider the same as final and complete the enforcement actions by issuing an Action Letter / Orders. Failure to submit a response to the LO / SCN within the prescribed timelines would be construed as "No additional information is available", and the Exchange shall proceed to complete the enforcement action based on the available documents. It is brought to the notice of the Trading Members that any failure to adhere to the timelines, unless extended by the Exchange as specified in Exchange Communications, may be treated as non-cooperation, and appropriate disciplinary proceedings may be initiated.
9. The amount collected in the form of penalty and financial disincentives is credited to Investor Protection Fund Trust (IPFT) of the Exchange.
10. The provisions of the current circular supersede the earlier penalty circulars except mentioned in point 7 above.
Trading Members are advised to take note of the above.
In case of any clarification or assistance required in the implementation of this circular, you may contact :
Kaushik Jethwa - kau...@secmark.in/ 9870210171