Mumbai/New Delhi, Sep 28 (Agency) Tightening the related party transactions (RPTs) norms, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) on Tuesday expanded the RPTs definition to cover transactions involving shareholders having 10 per cent or more stake in the company. A related party transaction refers to deals taking place between two parties having pre-existing business relations. As per the revised definition, related parties will include all persons or entities forming part of promoter or promoter group irrespective of their shareholding. Further, any person or entity holding equity shares in the listed entity to the extent of 20 per cent or more either directly or on a beneficial interest basis at any time would be considered related parties.
Those with equity shares to the extent of 10 per cent or more effective April 1, 2023 will also be treated as RPTs. “From a governance standpoint, this only makes the rules tighter which should work well for all stakeholders involved, “said Vikram Raghani, Partner, J Sagar Associates. The definition of RPT shall include transactions between the listed entity or any of its subsidiaries on one hand and a related party of the listed entity or any of its subsidiaries on the other hand. As per Sebi’s revised definition, the RPTs would also include the listed entity or any of its subsidiaries on one hand, and any other person or entity on the other hand, the purpose and effect of which is to benefit a related party of the listed entity or any of its subsidiaries effective April 1, 2023. “Prior approval of the shareholders of the listed entity shall be required for material RPTs having a threshold of lower of Rs 1,000 crore or 10 per cent of the consolidated annual turnover of the listed entity,” Sebi statement said.