Sebi to establish toll free helpline for investors

To resolve investors' grievances and spread financial literacy, market regulator Sebi will set up a toll free helpline to respond to queries of investors and help track the status of their complaints.

The investors, according a strategic action plan approved by the Sebi Board earlier, will be able to communicate in their own languages.

The investor awareness and education plan also includes a web-based centralised investor grievances tracking system to help investors track their complaints.

The proposals to establish a helpline for investors and have a grievances tracking system, among others, were approved by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) in a Board meeting held in February.

Besides, Sebi will launch a media campaign to demystify the securities market for investors, through films, and advertisements in newspapers, radio and television in various languages.
    
It will also conduct workshops for pan-India target groups through its empanelled Resource Persons to spread financial awareness and literacy.
    
Besides, the market watchdog will offer financial education programmes to school children, and launch an investor awareness campaign for mutual fund investors directly and jointly through Association of Mutual Funds in India (Amfi).
    
Sebi also plans to organise an international seminar along with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) on investor education.