Sebi told to educate retail investors on PSU stake sale

NEW DELHI, Nov 8 (Business Standard): To push to participation in the government's disinvestment programme, the finance ministry has written to the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) to promote awareness among retail investors about the coming issues of public sector units (PSUs).

As the government is planning to tap the markets through the auction route, retail investors might not find it easy to bid. The finance ministry has told Sebi it should try to spread awareness through tickers on TV channels, websites and bulk messages.

"Retail investors don't know at what price to bid. It is a big challenge. We have written to Sebi to start working towards informing and educating such investors," said a ministry official, who did not wish to be identified.

Addressing the Sebi board last month, finance minister Arun Jaitley had also asked the market regulator to work towards attracting more retail investors to the capital markets.