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NSDL has been conducting investor education programmes ever since its inception. These programmes are being carried-out through various means such as newspaper & magazine advertisements, publications, investor seminars, TV advertisements etc.

With the increasing popularity of FM Radio as a medium and to reach larger number of people, NSDL has initiated an awareness campaign through FM Radio in English and Hindi. This activity is being carried out on radio station Red FM across the following five centres during January 2008:

The campaign focuses on the following three areas:

• SMS Alert facility
• PAN Card for demat accounts
• Nomination facility

More information on this is available on NSDL website www.nsdl.co.in.

Bank passbook is one of the Proof of Address (POA) being submitted by applicant(s) to the DP at the time of opening depository account. In this regard, DPs have been seeking clarification with respect to accepting bank statement as POA at the time of opening depository account as many banks have been issuing/sending bank statement to its Clients instead of bank passbook. Further, DPs have also represented regarding practical difficulties faced by Clients in obtaining attestation or additional charges being levied for attestation on the bank statement. In this regard, DPs have been advised as follows:

(i) Computer generated original bank statement:

DPs may accept the computer generated original bank statement as POA if neither obtaining the copy of bank passbook nor attestation (stamp and signature) of the authorised official of the bank on the original bank statement is feasible. Provided such original bank statement is printed on the stationery of the bank, carries logo & name of the bank, displays the name, address and bank transactions/holdings of the Client for the latest quarter ending.

(ii) Computer generated bank statement on plain paper:

DPs may accept the computer generated bank statement which is printed on a plain paper as POA provided it clearly mentions the name, address and bank transactions/holdings of the Client for the latest quarter ending. Provided such a bank statement is duly attested (signed and stamped) by the authorised official of the bank mentioning the name and designation of such authorised official.

In both the aforesaid circumstances, DPs have been advised as follows:

• i. Obtain a cancelled cheque in original and signature of the applicant(s) (all the holders in case of joint holdings) on the bank statement.
• ii. The bank statement should be of the latest quarter ending eg. depository accounts opened in the month of April, May and June should be supported by the bank statement of the quarter ending March 31.

This has been informed to DPs vide Circular No. NSDL/POLICY/2007/0074 dated December 1, 2007.

Since the inception, various guidelines with respect to opening of depository accounts pertaining to various type of Clients such as individual, corporate, illiterate person, Karta of HUF (Hindu Undivided Family), NRI (Non Resident Indian) etc. have been issued, which have been disseminated through various circulars. In this regard, a 'Master Circular' on 'Account Opening' has now been issued, wherein various circulars issued till date have been consolidated/aggregated into a single circular. Master circular on 'Account Opening' would be of an immense advantage to DPs as it would serve as a single point reference document.

The details which have become redundant have been deleted from the master circular. Certain additional details which are relevant to the topic have been added / modified accordingly. Further, reference number and date of issuance of the circulars till date is incorporated in the relevant areas of the master circular for ready reference.

This has been informed to DPs vide Circular No. NSDL/POLICY/2007/0077 dated December 19, 2007. Entire text of the Master circular on 'Account Opening' is posted on NSDL website www.nsdl.co.in.

Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has issued a circular (no. MRD/DoP/SE/Dep/Cir-14/2007 dated December 20, 2007) regarding guidelines on Short selling and Securities Lending and Borrowing. The same has been informed to DPs vide Circular No. NSDL/POLICY/2007/0078 dated December 24, 2007. Entire text of the SEBI circular is posted on NSDL website www.nsdl.co.in.

As investors are aware, NSDL has reduced the settlement fee charged to the DPs by 16% i.e. from Rs. 6 to Rs. 5 per debit instruction w.e.f. January 1, 2008.

SEBI has vide its letter no. MRD/DoP/PP/111495/07 dated December 20, 2007 advised NSDL to intimate the DPs to pass on the benefits of the reduction in settlement fees, to the beneficial owners.

This has been informed to DPs vide Circular No. NSDL/POLICY/2007/0079 dated December 27, 2007.