In its order no. 40-3/2020-DM-I(A) and the guidelines dated 24 March 2020, the Ministry of Home Affairs, inter alia, stated that all commercial and private establishments shall be closed down except for capital and debt market services as shall be notified by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (“SEBI”). (The details of the order and the guidelines can be accessed here)
Pursuant to the above mentioned order, SEBI, on 24 March 2020, notified vide Circular No.: sebi/covid-19/2020/01, that the head/regional/local offices of SEBI shall remain functional with a minimum number of employees.
The notification, further, listed the entities which shall be considered as providing capital and debt market services under the above order and shall remain functional, as follows:
- Recognised Stock Exchanges,
- Recognised Clearing Corporations,
- Depositories,
- Custodians,
- Mutual Funds,
- Asset Management Companies,
- Stock Brokers,
- Trading Members,
- Clearing Members,
- Depositories Participants,
- Registrar and Share Transfer Agents,
- Credit Rating Agencies,
- Debenture Trustees,
- Foreign Portfolio Investors,
- Portfolio Managers,
- Alternative Investment Funds,
- Investment Advisers,
- Any other entities and regulated activities as notified by SEBI.
