Don’t discriminate against visually challenged: Sebi

Capital markets regulator Sebi and stock exchanges have warned brokers against any discrimination in providing trading and investment facilities to visually challenged people. 

The regulator’s move follows complaints that some brokers were showing resistance in providing service to the visually challenged persons, citing excuses that the KYC and trading account opening procedures make it difficult for such investors to enter the stock markets. Following representations made to Sebi in this regard, the regulator has said that “there shall be no restrictions for a visually challenged person in getting registered as a client for trading/investing in the securities market, subject to the compliance requirements”.

To ensure compliance by brokers, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has asked the stock exchanges to inform their members about this matter. Consequently, top exchanges NSE and BSE have communicated to their members through separate circulars that they should render all possible assistance to the visually challenged persons for registering as clients.