India

SEBI has relaxed pricing rules for preferential issues to make it easier for listed companies to raise new funds. Similar relaxations for stressed companies were also announced.

Digital lending platforms often do not disclose the name of the bank or NBFC providing the loaned funds. Under the new rules they will have to.

The new contract will enable transparent price discovery, ease trade for buyers and sellers, and allow producers and importers to hedge price risk.

Under draft rules, government approval will be required for investment in an Indian pension fund from land-border countries including China; a 49% cap is proposed for other foreign investors.

The new framework introduces enhanced capital and liquidity requirements for HFCs, and restrictions on intra-group exposures, among other changes.

The panel says intermediary regulations need to be amended to speed up enforcement action, and that SEBI should be granted the authority to seize assets subject to investigation.

Participants will be able to digitally trade natural gas in both the spot and forward markets, facilitating price discovery and lowering overall gas prices.

Market commentators believe that a recent Supreme Court decision has prompted the government to work towards a new regulatory approach, rather than an outright ban.

Currently in India, bounced cheques can carry a jail sentence of up to two years and a fine up to twice the value of the cheque, or both.

The RBI has released a discussion paper proposing reforms to improve bank governance, and has formed a working group to review rules on private sector bank ownership and control.