Power of depositories to make bye-laws

Section 26 of the Depositories Act, 1996 deals with power of depositories to make bye-laws. A depository shall, with the previous approval of the Board, make bye-laws consistent with the provisions of this Act and the regulations. The Act came into force on 20 Sep 1995.

(1) A depository shall, with the previous approval of the Board, make bye-laws consistent with the provisions of this Act and the regulations.

(2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such bye-laws shall provide for--

(a) the eligibility criteria for admission and removal of securities in the depository;

(b) the conditions subject to which the securities shall be dealt with;

(c) the eligibility criteria for admission of any person as a participant;

(d) the manner and procedure for dematerialisation of securities;

(e) the procedure for transactions within the depository;

(f) the manner in which securities shall be dealt with or withdrawn from a depository;

(g) the procedure for ensuring safeguards to protect the interests of participants and beneficial owners;

(h) the conditions of admission into and withdrawal from a participant by a beneficial owner;

(i) the procedure for conveying information to the participants and beneficial owners on dividend declaration, shareholder meetings and other matters of interest to the beneficial owners;

(j) the manner of distribution of dividends, interest and monetary benefits received from the company among beneficial owners;

(k) the manner of creating pledge or hypothecation in respect of securities held with a depository;

(l) inter se rights and obligations among the depository, issuer, participants and beneficial owners;

(m) the manner and the periodicity of furnishing information to the Board, issuer and other persons;

(n) the procedure for resolving disputes involving depository, issuer, company or a beneficial owner;

(o) the procedure for proceeding against the participant committing breach of the regulations and provisions for suspension and expulsion of participants from the depository and cancellation of agreements entered with the depository;

(p) the internal control standards including procedure for auditing, reviewing and monitoring.

(3) Where the Board considers it expedient so to do, it may, by order in writing, direct a depository to make any bye-laws or to amend or revoke any bye-laws already made within such period as it may specify in this behalf.

(4) If the depository fails or neglects to comply with such order within the specified period, the Board may make the bye-laws or amend or revoke the bye-laws made either in the form specified in the order or with such modifications thereof as the Board thinks fit

Section 26, The Depositories Act, 1996 (Act 22 of 1996).