RBI/2010-11/491
A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 54

April 29, 2011

To

All Category – I Authorised Dealer banks

Madam / Sir,

Issue of Irrevocable Payment Commitment (IPCs) to Stock Exchanges on behalf of Mutual Funds (MFs) and Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs)

Attention of Authorised Dealer Category - I (AD Category-I) banks is invited to   Regulation 5(2) and Schedule 2 of Foreign Exchange Management (Transfer or Issue of Security by a Person Resident outside India) Regulations, 2000 notified vide Notification No. FEMA 20/2000-RB dated May 3, 2000, as amended from time to time, in terms of which Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) registered with SEBI may purchase shares or convertible debentures of an Indian company under the Portfolio Investment Scheme (PIS). Further, attention of AD Category – I banks is also invited to the Foreign Exchange Management (Guarantee) Regulations, notified vide Notification No. FEMA 8/2000-RB dated May 3, 2000, as amended from time to time, in terms of which, no fund based / non-fund based facilities are permitted to the FIIs.

2. It has now been decided to allow custodian banks to issue Irrevocable Payment Commitments (IPCs) in favour of the Stock Exchanges / Clearing Corporations of the Stock Exchanges, on behalf of their FII clients for purchase of shares under the PIS. Issue of IPCs should be in accordance with the Reserve Bank regulations on banks’ exposure to the capital market issued by the Reserve Bank from time to time. Further, AD Category – I banks may also comply with the instructions issued by our Department of Banking Operations and Development (DBOD) vide circular no. DBOD Dir. BC.46/13.03.00/2010-11 dated September 30, 2010.

3. Necessary amendments to the Foreign Exchange Management (Guarantee) Regulations, 2000, notified vide Notification No. FEMA 8/2000-RB dated May 3, 2000 will be issued separately.

4. AD Category – I banks may bring the contents of this circular to the notice of their constituents and customers concerned.

Yours faithfully,

(Meena Hemchandra)
Chief General Manager-in-Charge