SEBI launches ‘smart’ program to raise awareness among investors

Market regulator SEBI on Wednesday launched the securities market trainer (SMART) program with the intention of raising education and awareness among investors. “In the current situation of uncertainty and extraordinary buoyancy in the market, there is a great need to step up efforts related to investor education and awareness,” a statement quoted Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) chairman Ajay Tyagi as saying. He said, “There cannot be a better time to start a smart program. The objective of this SEBI initiative is to strengthen the existing system of investor education.”

The SEBI chairman expressed concern about the presence of active investors in a few sectors. He said that the smart program would solve this problem by reaching investors in remote areas. The SMART program has been launched at a time when World Investors Week is being celebrated across the country. Appreciating the trainers who were empanelled under the SMART program, Tyagi underlined the need for help from retail investors.

He said that with the rise of new investors in the securities market, it has become necessary in the last few months. He also underlined SEBI’s initiative in the field of financial education through stock exchanges, depositories and recognized investor organizations. SEBI has included 40 people from 16 states and union territories in the panel in the first batch under the SMART program. These people have also been given four-day training at the National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM).

The regulator said it would include more trainers on the pan-India level under the SMART program. These trainers will conduct investor education programs in their respective areas. Under the SMART program, the trainer for the district has been placed on the panel from which they belong. They will be included in the panel as an instructor only after meeting the prescribed criteria.