
Competition Commission staff can't invest in individual stocks to avert conflict
Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. NEW DELHI : Competition Commission of India (CCI) has proposed to prevent its employees from specified investments, including any direct or indirect investments in commodity derivatives and equity-related investments other than certain exceptions like mutual funds, to protect the integrity of its regulatory decisions. CCI employees are currently covered by central civil service rules, and the proposed norms seek to add explicit additional conduct requirements for the regulator like in the case of other regulators, including the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi).
CCI has sought public feedback by 6 April on the proposals before giving effect to them. The draft rules disallow employees from making any direct or indirect investment in commodity derivatives, equity and equity-related instruments including convertible debentures and warrants. However, investments in mutual funds, non-convertible bonds and non- convertible debentures, initial public offerings and in rights issues in respect of the shares already held by them are allowed.
In mutual funds, the investments go into a basket of different securities rather than to individual companies, making it an acceptable investment instrument for employees. The idea is to prevent any conflict of interest for the employees. The restrictions will also cover the investments of the employee’s dependent children, other wards managed by the employee as a guardian, spouse, dependent parents and dependent parents-in-law of the employee out of the money received from the employee.
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