Allowing 'Put' and 'Call' options in shareholders' agreements would boost FDI in India: CII chief

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has welcomed the decision taken by the Government to allow incorporation of 'call' and 'put' options in shareholders' agreement.

The proposal to remove restrictions on using options in shareholders' pact for MandA and PE transactions would encourage inflow of foreign investment into the country, said CII President Chandrajit Banerjee in a statement.

This was one of the key impediments to FDI flow into the infrastructure sector.

The clearance from the Law Ministry would pave the way for an amendment to be moved to the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, against the proposal initially moved by SEBI.

Industry has been seeking an amendment to SCRA to allow put and call options not only to offer an opportunity to investors, especially foreign investors, to hedge their risks but also put to rest any doubts regarding the use of options.

Overseas investors and lenders may be willing to consider short to medium term lock in periods of three to five years if put option from the resident promoters are allowed.