(a) whether the Government have launched investors awareness campaign of SEBI in January, 2003;
(b) if so, the details thereof ;
(c) whether similar type of campaign is also undertaken by Department of Company Affairs ;
(d) if so, the details thereof ;
(e) whether the Government propose to direct both the aforesaid organizations to co-ordinate and have a common campaign to assure a healthy capital market; and
(f) if so, the details thereof;
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE AND COMPANY AFFAIRS (SHRI ANANDRAO V. ADSUL)
(a) & (b) : Securities Market Awareness Campaign was launched by SEBI on 17.01.2003 which was inaugurated by Hon’ble Prime Minister. Main objective of the programme was to educate investor, intermediaries, professionals and opinion makers and to promote the Indian capital market to investors.
(c) & (d) : Under Section 205C of the Companies Act, 1956, the Central Government has notified the establishment of a fund called the ‘Investor Education and Protection Fund’ as a non-Governmental fund to manage unclaimed deposits and dividends etc., of investors. The Rules for the Fund were notified on 1st October, 2001.
(e) & (f) : The amounts to be credited to the Funds are such amounts that have remained unclaimed and unpaid for a period of seven years from the date they become due for payment. As on 31.10.2002, an amount of Rs.82 crores has been credited to this Fund.
A Committee has been appointed to administer the Fund, comprising members nominated by RBI, SEBI, DCA etc. dealing with investor protection activities and experts from the field of investor education and protection. The Committee’s mandate is to recommend activities relating to this area including, inter alia, education programmes through media; seminars and symposia; proposals for registration of voluntary associations/institutions/other organizations engaged in investor education and protection activities; research projects etc.