SEBI has amended the SEBI (LODR) Regulations 2015, specifically Regulation 34(2)(f), to provide that the top 1000 listed entities [in place of top 500 listed entities] based on market capitalization (calculated as on 31 March of every financial year), shall, in their annual report, include a business responsibility report describing the initiatives taken by them from an environmental, social and governance perspective. Listed entities other than the top 1000 listed companies and listed entities which have listed their securities on the SME Exchange may include these business responsibility reports on a voluntary basis.

Further, in Regulation 42(2), related to intimation of the record date to the stock exchanges, a proviso has been inserted that in case of a rights issue, a listed entity shall give notice in advance of at least three (not seven) working days (excluding the date of intimation and the date of record).

To refer to the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) (Fifth Amendment) Regulations, 2019, click here.