SEBI has released a consultation paper aimed at making rights issues the preferred method for raising funds. The paper, issued on August 20, seeks feedback from stakeholders on several recommendations designed to expedite and enhance the rights issue process, offering greater flexibility in investor allotment.
The consultation paper highlights the current state of rights issues, which raised the least amount of funds in FY24, totaling ₹15,110 crore. This is significantly lower compared to the ₹68,972 crore raised through Qualified Institutional Placements (QIPs) and ₹45,155 crore through preferential allotments. The paper aims to address this disparity.
To boost the use of rights issues, SEBI held consultations with stakeholders in July, resulting in several key proposals. These proposals focus on streamlining the process, making it more efficient and appealing to both companies and investors, thereby increasing its adoption.
Key proposals in the consultation paper include eliminating the requirement to file a Draft Letter of Offer (DLoF) with SEBI, simplifying the Letter of Offer (LoF) to include only essential information, and reviewing the role of intermediaries in the process.
Additionally, the paper suggests reducing the timelines for completing a rights issue and allowing selective allotment of shares to investors in rights issues.