Securities Exchange Board of India (‘SEBI’) vide its Circular dated June 15, 2021, has provided relaxation in the provision related to a minimum vesting period of one year in case of Employee Stock Options (“ESOP”) and Stock Appreciation Rights (“SAR”).
There is a requirement of a minimum vesting period of one year for ESOP and SAR under SEBI (Share Based Employee Benefit) Regulations, 2014. To facilitate the families of demised employees (who have deceased on or after April 1, 2020) with financial assistance due to the Covid-19 pandemic, SEBI has decided to exempt the requirement of a minimum vesting period.
CIRCULAR
SEBI/HO/CFD/DCR2/CIR/P/2021/576
June 15, 2021
To
All Listed Companies
All Recognized Stock Exchanges
All Registered Merchant Bankers
Dear Sir/Madam,
Sub: Relaxation from the requirement of minimum vesting period in case of death of employee(s) under SEBI (Share Based Employee Benefit) Regulations, 2014
1. Presently, regulation 18(1) and 24(1) of the SEBI (Share Based Employee Benefit) Regulations, 2014 (“SBEB Regulations”) provides that there shall be a minimum vesting period of one year in case of employee stock options (“options”) and stock appreciation rights (“SAR”).
2. Further, regulation 9(4) of the SBEB Regulations states that in the event of death of the employee while in employment, all the options, SAR or any other benefit granted to him/herunder a scheme till such date shall vest in the legal heirs or nominees of the deceased employee.
3. In view of the COVID-19 pandemic situation, to provide relief to the families of the deceased employees of listed companies, it has been decided as under:
a. the provisions under the SBEB Regulations relating to minimum vesting period of one year shall not apply in case of death (for any reason) of an employee and in such instances all the options, SAR or any other benefit granted to such employee(s)shall vest with his/her legal heir or nominee on the date of death of the employee; and
b. this relaxation shall be available to all such employees who have deceased on or after April 01, 2020.
4. This Circular is issued in exercise of powers conferred by Section 11(1) of the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992.
5. A copy of this circular is available on SEBI website at www.sebi.gov.in under the categories “Legal Framework/ Circulars.”
Yours faithfully,
Achal Singh
General Manager
Division of Corporate Restructuring
Corporation Finance Department
Email id: achals@sebi.gov.in
Phone : +91-22-26449619
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