Sebi WTM Ananth Narayan notes AIFs invest 65% of committed funds
ECONOMY & POLICY

Sebi WTM Ananth Narayan notes AIFs invest 65% of committed funds

Ananth Narayan, a whole-time member (WTM) of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi), stated that there is a discrepancy in the actual investments compared to the commitments raised by alternative investment funds (AIFs), which have surged to around 10.84 trillion. He mentioned that, for some unknown reason, the actual investments for funds that have closed since 2012 appear to be only 60?65 per cent of the commitments, weighted by value. Narayan expressed the desire to further explore this phenomenon with the industry to understand the reasons behind it or to confirm if the data interpretation is accurate.

Narayan added that only 7 per cent of these actual investments have been directed towards startups. As of December 2023, the AIF industry boasted over 140,000 investors, with investments reaching approximately 4 trillion.

Addressing industry executives at a conclave organised by the Indian Private Equity and Venture Capital Association, Narayan raised concerns about valuations, noting instances where they remained 'stale' for an extended period or experienced sharp drops as the fund approached maturity.

The Sebi official revealed plans to expedite the approval process for AIF applications, aiming to reduce the time to one month. He mentioned that, as of now, no applications have been pending for more than two months, whereas there were over 55 applications pending in December 2022.

Emphasizing the need to prevent the evergreening of loans and the circumvention of regulations through AIFs, Narayan stated that the standards forum has drafted dos and don'ts for AIF managers and funds. Sebi is also working on defining the specifics of what constitutes circumvention, along with a code of conduct.

According to sources, the AIF industry had approached the Ministry of Finance, seeking relaxation on the directive issued by the Reserve Bank of India that restricts investments in funds with debtor links.

Ananth Narayan, a whole-time member (WTM) of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi), stated that there is a discrepancy in the actual investments compared to the commitments raised by alternative investment funds (AIFs), which have surged to around 10.84 trillion. He mentioned that, for some unknown reason, the actual investments for funds that have closed since 2012 appear to be only 60?65 per cent of the commitments, weighted by value. Narayan expressed the desire to further explore this phenomenon with the industry to understand the reasons behind it or to confirm if the data interpretation is accurate. Narayan added that only 7 per cent of these actual investments have been directed towards startups. As of December 2023, the AIF industry boasted over 140,000 investors, with investments reaching approximately 4 trillion. Addressing industry executives at a conclave organised by the Indian Private Equity and Venture Capital Association, Narayan raised concerns about valuations, noting instances where they remained 'stale' for an extended period or experienced sharp drops as the fund approached maturity. The Sebi official revealed plans to expedite the approval process for AIF applications, aiming to reduce the time to one month. He mentioned that, as of now, no applications have been pending for more than two months, whereas there were over 55 applications pending in December 2022. Emphasizing the need to prevent the evergreening of loans and the circumvention of regulations through AIFs, Narayan stated that the standards forum has drafted dos and don'ts for AIF managers and funds. Sebi is also working on defining the specifics of what constitutes circumvention, along with a code of conduct. According to sources, the AIF industry had approached the Ministry of Finance, seeking relaxation on the directive issued by the Reserve Bank of India that restricts investments in funds with debtor links.

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

MoHUA Plans New Role for Smart City SPVs

In a significant policy move, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has issued an advisory encouraging the continued use and repurposing of Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) formed under the Smart Cities Mission (SCM). This marks a step toward sustaining urban transformation by leveraging institutional capabilities and infrastructure developed over the past decade.Initiated in 2015, the Smart Cities Mission introduced a new era of urban planning in India, with each of the 100 selected cities forming SPVs under the Companies Act, 2013. These entities, jointly owned by state government..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

ADB Approves $110 Million Loan to Boost Skills in Gujarat

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a USD 109.97 million (Rs 9.27 billion) results-based loan to support Gujarat’s efforts to become a global industrial hub by developing a future-ready, skilled workforce.The funding will back the Gujarat skills development programme, led by the Department of Labour, Skill Development and Employment in collaboration with Kaushalya: The Skill University (KSU). The initiative aims to equip the workforce with advanced, industry-aligned skills to meet rising employment demand in high-growth sectors.According to ADB, the programme seeks to strengthen in..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

SDAL Tests Rudrastra UAV and Bhargavastra Defence System

Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited (SDAL) has successfully completed a key flight test of its indigenous Hybrid VTOL UAV Rudrastra at the Pokharan Firing Range, aligning with Indian Army performance benchmarks for mission adaptability, high endurance, precision engagement, and vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capability.The trial marks a notable achievement in India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, underscoring advancements in home-grown military technology. The Rudrastra UAV demonstrated a mission radius exceeding 50 km with uninterrupted video relay, a total operational range of over..

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?