ESOP shares to employees under SEBI

1. Presently, regulation 18(1) and 24(1) of the SEBI (Share Based Employee Benefit) Regulations, 2014 (“SBEB Regulations”) provide 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/hereunder 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 a 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.

Section 62(1)(b) of the Companies Act, 2013 and Rule 12 of Companies (Share Capital and Debentures) Rules, 2014 (“Rules”) governs the issuance of ESOP.

Regards,

Anaita Vas