Alerts & Updates 29th Jun 2022
SEBI ISSUES GUIDELINES FOR LARGE VALUE FUND FOR ACCREDITED INVESTORS UNDER THE AIF REGULATIONS; MANDATES APPOINTMENT OF COMPLIANCE OFFICER FOR MANAGERS OF AIFS | MCA PROVIDES 15 DAY PERIOD FOR RE-SUBMISSION OF DEFECTIVE/INCOMPLETE FORM FOR REMOVAL OF COMPANY’S NAME
A. Guidelines for framework of large value funds for accredited investors, and mandatory appointment of compliance officer under the AIF Regulations: The SEBI (Alternative Investment Funds) Regulations, 2012 (AIF Regulations) were amended to provide certain relaxations from regulatory requirements to “large value fund for accredited investors” (LVF) including ease of diversification norms, extension of tenure beyond 2 years, relaxation of minimum investment requirement, etc. SEBI has now laid down guidelines for LVF in relation to filing of LVF schemes with SEBI and extension of tenure. Separately, SEBI has also laid down the requirement of appointing a compliance officer for managers of all alternative investment funds (AIFs).
B. Re-submission of defective/ incomplete application for removal of name and other changes: MCA has amended the Companies (Removal of Names of Companies from the Register of Companies) Rules, 2016 whereby a period of 15 days (with a further extension of 15 days) will now be provided to the applicant seeking removal of the name of a company to remove any defects/ complete the requisite form and re-submit the same to the Registrar of Companies. Also, changes have also been made to the format of Forms STK-1, STK-5 and STK-5A.
1. Guidelines for LVFs for accredited investors
Pursuant to the introduction of the framework of “accredited investors” vide the SEBI (Alternative Investment Funds) (Third Amendment) Regulations, 2021 dated August 3, 2021, the SEBI (Alternative Investment Funds) Regulations, 2012 (AIF Regulations) were amended to provide certain relaxations from regulatory requirements to “large value fund for accredited investors” (LVF) including ease of diversification norms, extension of tenure beyond 2 years, relaxation of minimum investment requirement, etc. SEBI has now laid down the following guidelines for LVF in relation to filing of LVF schemes with SEBI and extension of tenure.
Provision under AIF Regulations | Guidelines |
Exemption from filing of private placement memorandum with SEBI by LVFs
In terms of proviso to Regulation 12 of AIF Regulations, LVFs are exempt from filing their placement memorandum with SEBI through merchant banker and incorporate comments of SEBI, if any, in their placement memorandum i.e. LVFs can launch their scheme under intimation to SEBI. |
In this regard, following has now been prescribed:
The format for the undertaking inter alia provides affirmation on the following: – Independent exercise of due-diligence regarding information given in the placement memorandum, including the veracity and adequacy of disclosure made therein; – AIF, its sponsor and manager are fit and proper persons; – All the material disclosures in respect of the fund raising, investment by the scheme and management thereof have been made in the placement memorandum and are based on latest available information; – Satisfaction that the proposed activities of the scheme are bonafide, fall within the objectives of the fund as specified in the articles of association or trust deed or partnership deed of the AIF and are to meet the stated investment objective; – Disclosures made in the placement memorandum are true fair and necessary to enable the investors to make an informed decision with respect to the investment in the proposed scheme and are in accordance with the AIF Regulations and applicable legal requirements; – Sponsor or manager are capable of fulfilling the requirement of maintaining continuing interest in the scheme as per the AIF Regulations; Details of disclosures in the placement memorandum with respect to compliance with provisions of the AIF Regulations, applicable to the proposed LVF scheme, and information with respect to disclosures in the placement memorandum are also required to be annexed to the undertaking as per the format now prescribed by SEBI.
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Extension of tenure of AIF beyond 2 years for LVFs
Close ended AIFs are permitted to extend its tenure up to 2 years with the approval of 2/3rd of its unit holders by value of their investment in the said AIF. LVFs are exempt from this requirement whereby LVFs are permitted to extend its tenure beyond 2 years, subject to terms of the contribution agreement, other fund documents and such conditions as may be specified by SEBI from time to time. |
In this regard, the following conditions have been prescribed:
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2. Requirement of Compliance Officer for Managers of all AIFs
All AIFs are now required to ensure that the manager to the AIF designates an employee or director as “compliance officer” who shall be a person other than CEO of the manager (or such equivalent role or position depending on the legal structure of manager). The compliance officer shall be responsible for monitoring compliance with the provisions of the AIF Regulations and circulars issued thereunder.
The above guidelines have been issued vide SEBI circular dated June 24, 2022 (available here).
Rule 4 of the Companies (Removal of Names of Companies from the Register of Companies) Rules, 2016 (Removal of Names Rules) inter alia provides that an application for the removal of the name of a company shall be made in Form STK-2 with the Registrar of Companies (ROC) along with documents as specified under Rule 4. Vide the Companies (Removal of Names of Companies from the Register of Companies) Amendment Rules, 2022 (Amendment Rules), the following new clauses have been added:
The above changes have been introduced vide the Companies (Removal of Names of Companies from the Register of Companies) Amendment Rules, 2022 dated June 9, 2022 (available here).
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Manendra Singh, Associate Partner –ManendraSingh@elp-in.com ;
Tanvi Goyal, Principal Associate –TanviGoyal@elp-in.com;
Aditi Ladha, Associate- AditiLadhai@elp-in.com
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