The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) will sharpen its focus on capacity building and technology to strengthen internal governance and market regulation, chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey said on Saturday.
“There is a strategic focus on capacity building. We recognize that the future of regulation will demand new skills, data analytics, technology, interdisciplinary thinking,” said Pandey at Sebi’s 38th foundation day event.
The focus on capacity building comes as Sebi looks to strengthen its internal governance and compliance. The market regulator approved a series of measures on conflict of interest, disclosure and recusal norms for its officials at its March board meeting.
Tighter guardrails
The Sebi chairperson and whole-time members will be subject to the same restrictions on investments and trading as other employees, the regulator said in a statement. Their investments in unlisted companies and other commercial ventures have to be liquidated or frozen during their tenures.
The regulator will also set up a digital system to manage conflict of interest and the whistleblower system for reporting perceived, actual and potential conflicts of interest.
Details of immovable property of the top Sebi officials including the chairman, whole-time members, executive directors and chief general managers will now be publicly disclosed in the same manner as applicable for All India Services and Central civil services officers.
Tech upgrade
The regulator is also increasingly using technology to boost its capabilities.
“Recently, we have launched new platforms for communication- SUPCOMS and an e-education portal to help us engage better with stakeholders,” said Pandey. He added that the regulator is using advanced analytics, digital forensics, real-time monitoring systems and AI-enabled platforms to improve supervision and efficiency.
Moving forward, Pandey said the focus will be on simplifying regulations with the aim of improving ease of doing business for market participants.
“We will continue to invest in technology-led supervision. We will strengthen governance and risk management frameworks and capabilities,” he said.
“We will accelerate our drive to simplify and rationalize regulations for ease of doing business by all participants in the capital market. We will collaborate to bring innovations for market development, such that capital formation contributes to faster economic growth,” he added.
