(a) the steps taken by the Government for awareness and protection of small investors;
(b) the details of the programmes launched for the awareness and protection of the
small investors, particularly in small cities, towns and rural areas of the country; and
(c) the funds allocated and utilised during the last three years for the purpose?
THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SHRI SACHIN PILOT) IN THE MINISTRY OF
CORPORATE AFFAIRS
(a) & (b): Investor Awareness Programmes are conducted by the Ministry of Corporate
Affairs in association with the three Professional Institutes, namely, Institute of
Chartered Accountants of India, Institute of Company Secretaries of India and Institute
of Cost Accountants of India. These programmes cover various cities and towns (including
small towns) and involve distribution of booklets in different languages. The contents of
these booklets are available on the websites of this Ministry (www.iepf.gov.in). These
programmes have brought greater awareness among common investors. Investors can also
lodge their complaints/grievances in electronic form on the MCA-21 portal. A similar
facility has also been provided by Securities and Exchange Board of India on their
website www.sebi.gov.in. Reserve Bank of India, in association with Banking Codes and
Standards Board of India, carries out Outreach Programmes and Town Hall Events to educate
its customers and create awareness on various banking activities. In addition, this
Ministry has also created a sub-site on its website www.mca.gov.in where companies are
required to file investor-wise details of unpaid and unclaimed amounts due to investors.
This website enables investors, specially small investors, to obtain information
regarding unclaimed and unpaid amounts.
(c): The Ministry receives budgetary allocation for investor protection activities every
year. Details of funds allocated and utilised during the last three years are as follows:
(Amount in Rupees)
FINANCIAL YEAR BUDGET EXPENDITURE
2009-10 5,00,00,000/- 3,42,00,000/-
2010-11 5,00,00,000/- 4,35,00,000/-
2011-12 5,00,00,000/- 4,98,00,000/-