Concept of Depository system
The traditional system of dealing in shares involves dealing in Share Certificates with enormous paper work, getting the certificate duly endorsed in the buyer's name which is complex, time consuming and also involves various problems not only of bad deliveries of shares but also loss of share certificates in transit.
In the Depository System, the securities of a Shareholder are held in the electronic form by conversion of physical securities to electronic form through a process called 'dematerialisation' (demat) of share certificates and facilitates transactions electronically without involving any share certificate or transfer deed.
Here the transfer of securities takes place by means of electronic book entries. The Depository system provides various other direct and indirect benefits as under :
- Bad deliveries are almost eliminated.
- The risks associated with physical certificates such as loss, theft, mutilation of certificate etc. are eliminated.
- It eliminates handling of huge volumes of paper work involved in filling in transfer deeds and lodging the transfer documents & Share Certificates with the Company.
- There will be immediate transfer and registration of your shares (at the end of every settlement cycle, which is 4 working days i.e. T+3) and you need not have to suffer delays on account of processing time.
- It leads to faster settlement cycle and faster realisation of sale proceeds.
- There will be a faster disbursement of Corporate benefits like Rights, Bonus etc.
- The stamp duty on transfer of securities, which is 0.25% of the consideration on transfer of shares in physical form is not applicable and you may incur expenditure towards service charges of the Depository Participant.
- There could be a reduction in rates of interest on loans granted against pledge of dematerialised securities by various banks.
- There could be reduction in brokerage for trading in dematerialised securities.
- There could be reduction in transaction costs in dematerialised securities as compared to physical securities.
- Availability of periodical status report to investors on their holding and transactions.
SEBI has initially prescribed that Financial Institutions, FIIs etc. have to deal with BPC shares only in dematerialised form, from 1-6-1998. SEBI has later prescribed that all settlements of trades done on
Stock Exchanges in BPC shares must be in dematerialised form. However, the option to investors to hold the shares in physical form will continue.
Depository system is playing a significant role in stock markets around the world and hence has become popular and prevalent in many advanced countries. In India the National Securities Depository Ltd. (NSDL), promoted by Industrial Development Bank of India, Unit Trust of India, National Stock Exchange is the first depository and Central Depository Services (India) Ltd, promoted by The Stock Exchange, Mumbai and Bank of India is another depository.
Investors have choice of two depositories now
- National Securities Depository Ltd.
- Central Depository Services(I) Ltd
Constituents of Depository system
- Depository
- Depository Participants (DPs)
- Share Registrar/Issuers
- Investor
- Clearing Corporation/Member
Role of Depository
The Depository performs its functions through a network of Depository Participants (DPs) who interact with the Clearing Members and Investor. The Depository carries out following functions through its participants:-
- Enabling the surrender and withdrawal of securities through the process of demat and remat to and from the depository system,
- Maintaining investors' holdings in the electronic form through computers,
- Effecting settlement of securities traded on the stock exchanges.
- Carrying out settlement of "off market trades" (i.e. trades not done on the stock exchanges)
- Advising periodically to the Share Registrar / Issuer about the beneficial owners of the securities.
Role of Depository participants
Similar to brokers, who act on behalf of a client in the stock market, a Depository Participant is your representative in the depository system. Financial Institutions / Banks / Custodian / Stock Brokers etc. can become DPs provided they meet the necessary requirements and guidelines prescribed by SEBI. DP serves as a link between the investor and the Company through NSDL / CDSL for dematerialisation of shares and other electronic transactions. DP provides various services with regard to your holdings such as
- Maintaining the securities account balances
- Enabling surrender (dematerialisation) and withdrawal (rematerialisation) of your securities to and from the depository.
- Delivering and receiving shares in your account on your instructions. Hence, shares bought by you on a stock exchange can be received directly in you account and similarly those sold by you can be delivered on your instructions.
- Keeping you updated with regard to status of your holdings periodically.
In the Depository System, BPC cannot entertain a demat request from you directly. You have to initiate the process only through a DP.
Dematerialisation
Dematerialisation is a process by which your share certificates are taken back by BPC through your DP, checked and if found in order, demat is confirmed by BPC and then an equivalent number of shares are credited to your account held by DP in electronic form. The entire process of dematerialisation of share is required to be completed within a period of 15 days.
Functioning of Depository system
Operations
The operation in a depository system is similar to the operation of money account in the Banking system. Like a bank transaction, share certificates are deposited in a depository and individual account is opened with the shares for which certificates are deposited. If anyone wishes to utilise the services offered by a depository, he has to open an account with the depository through a 'Depository Participant'. The Shareholder can transfer the shares between accounts without handling share certificates. It also leads to safekeeping of securities.
Costs
Depending upon the services rendered by each Depository, the investors have to pay the charges for the services like account opening, account maintenance charges, transactions charges and custody charges etc. These charges differ between Depository Participants to Depository Participants and from Depository system also. Investors have to identify their own DP for their transactions of Dematerialisation.
How do I dematerialise my shares?
Activities involved in the Depository System are as under:
- Contact a DP of your choice to open an account.
- Make an application in a Dematerialisation Request Form (DRF) alongwith the relevant share certificates. The DP will accept certificates registered only in your name.
- On receipt of DRF alongwith the original share certificates, the DP will send an electronic request to BPCs R&T Agent, through the Depository for confirmation of demat and simultaneously surrender your DRF and share certificates.
- BPCs R&T Agent is linked with the NSDL / CDSL network though a V-sat connection. Your DP's request for demat is electronically received by BPCs R&T Agent through NSDL / CDSL..
- When BPCs R&T Agent physically receives the DRF and your share certificates, it is verified and demat is confirmed to the Depository.
- The Depository will further confirm the demat to your DP.
- Your account will be credited by DP with the number of shares so dematerialised and the process is completed. On opening account, you will get an identification number called 'Client ID'. It serves as a reference for all your transactions with the DP. Thereafter you will hold the shares in the electronic form. You can get a statement of holdings and updation of your account after each transaction from your DP.
- When you open an account with a DP, you can buy or sell shares in electronic form without any paperwork and without payment of any stamp duty as in the case of traditional scrip-based transactions. You will be required to pay some charges for services offered by the DP. Hence it is advisable to get full details of service charges from the DP with whom you wish to open an account.
- You can now trade in depository mode through any broker registered with the National Stock Exchange and Stock Exchange, Mumbai but the necessary details of your account with the DP should be provided by you.
- In case of Public Issue, the applicant can specify the manner in which he wishes to receive his allotment. I.e., in the form of physical certificates or in the electronic form. The Application Form will have a provision for this option. If you prefer to receive it in the electronic mode, you should mention your account number, name of your DP and Client ID number, so that it will be possible for you to receive allotment of shares directly into your account. In case of Public Issue of any security of issue size of Rs. 10 crore or more, security shall be issued only in dematerialized form.
What facilities are provided under Depository system?
Pledging & Hypothecation Facilities
It is possible to pledge/hypothecate your share in electronic form by making an application to your DP. Similarly, you can also request for closure of pledge/ hypothecation. You can obtain the necessary details regarding pledge/hypothecation from your DP.
Freezing/Locking of Investor Accounts
If as a security measure, you desire to freeze/lock your account for any given period of time, you can advise your DP who shall take necessary action to freeze your account until further instruction from you.
Receipt of Corporate Benefits
In order to enable the Company to calculate the benefits arising out of your holdings, the Depositories provides the download of beneficiary position (benpos), as on a given day ( record date) to BPCs R&T Agent. For Example, if BPC announces dividend, NSDL / CDSL will provide the download of beneficiary position (benpos) with reference to the record date/book closure date and BPC will disburse the dividend to such Shareholder directly. In case of Right/Bonus issue the distribution of share entitlements will be made in electronic form by NSDL / CDSL based on the information provided by BPCs R&T Agent. Hence Shareholders will be given the option of receiving their share entitlements in the form of Physical Certificates or in the Electronic form with the Depositories.
How do I convert my electronic shares into physical shares?
Rematerialisation
Whenever you desire to get back your shares in the physical form, you have option of converting your electronic holding into share certificates. This conversion is called rematerialisation (remat). For rematerilaisation, you should make application in Rematerialisation Request Form (RRF) to your DP for a remat and through a similar process like the reversal of demat, BPC will issue new certificates to you for the rematerialised shares. The Process of rematerialisation is completed within a period of 30 days.
It can be concluded that depository system is a much more safe and user-friendly method of transaction of securities.
BPC has appointed Data Software Research Co. Pvt. Ltd, (DSRC), Chennai as its Registrar and Transfer Agents (R&T Agents) w.e.f. 01.09.2006. DSRC has also opened Investor Services Cell at Mumbai in the premises of BPCs Registered Office. For any further clarifications, the investors may contact BPCs R&T Agents or Investor Services Cell at the following addresses:
| Data Software Research Co. Pvt. Ltd. |
| Address |
:: |
Sree Soveriegn Complex,
No.22, 4th Cross Street,
Trustpuram, Kodambakkam,
Chennai - 600 024 |
| Tel |
: |
(044) 24833738 / 24801664 |
| Fax |
: |
(044) 24834636 |
| Email |
: |
dsrcmd@vsnl.com |
|
| Investor Services Cell |
| Address |
:: |
Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd.
Bharat Bhavan No.1,
4&6, Currimbhoy Road,
Ballard Estate, Mumbai - 400 001 |
| Tel |
: |
(022) 22713000/4000 extn : 3170, 3437, 3435 |
| Fax |
: |
(022) 22713688 |
| Email |
: |
ssc@bharatpetroleum.in |
|
BPC's details of Book Closures/AGM dates/Dividend declared for previous years
| Year |
Book Closure (From) |
Book Closure (To) |
AGM Date |
% age of Dividend |
| 2007-08 |
12.09.2008 |
22.09.2008 |
22.09.2008 |
40 |
| 2006-07
Interim Dividend
Final Dividend |
16.01.2007 #
06.09.2007 |
16.01.2007 #
19.09.2007 |
-
19.09.2007 |
60
100 |
| 2005-06 |
17.11.2006 |
14.12.2006 |
18.12.2006 |
25 |
2004-05
1st Interim Dividend
2nd Interim Dividend |
27.12.2004 #
08.06.2005 #
24.08.2005 |
27.12.2004 #
08.06.2005 #
20.09.2005 |
-
-
23.09.2005 |
50
75
- |
2003-04
Interim Dividend
Final Dividend |
02.01.2004 #
30.07.2004 |
02.01.2004 #
26.08.2004 |
-
30.08.2004 |
60
115 |
2002-03
Interim Dividend
Final Dividend |
04.02.2003 #
18.07.2003 |
04.02.2003 #
14.08.2003 |
-
18.08.2003 |
20
130 |
| 2001-02 |
13.08.2002 |
09.09.2002 |
25.09.2002 |
110 |
2000-01
Interim Dividend
Final Dividend |
02.07.2001 #
17.08.2001 |
02.07.2001 #
05.09.2001 |
-
26.09.2001 |
40
35 |
| 1999-2000 |
09.08.2000 |
05.09.2000 |
28.09.2000 |
125 |
| 1998-99 |
26.08.1999 |
22.09.1999 |
28.09.1999 |
125 |
| 1997/98 |
25.08.1998 |
15.09.1998 |
28.09.1998 |
50 |
| 1996/97 |
16.07.1997 |
12.08.1997 |
29.09.1997 |
33 |
| 1995/96 |
24.07.1996 |
22.08.1996 |
19.08.1996 |
33 |
| 1994/95 |
17.08.1995 |
15.09.1995 |
12.09.1995 |
33 |
| 1993/94 |
19.08.1994 |
02.09.1994 |
29.08.1994 |
33 |
# Record Date
Details of Bonus declared earlier
Year 1994 @ 2 shares for every 1 share held. The record date was 16.11.94.
Share holding as on 28.02.2009
| Name of the holder |
Physical |
Demat |
Total |
% holding |
| Govt. of India (President of India) |
198,600,060 |
Nil |
198,600,0606 |
54.93 |
| Govt. of Kerala (Governor of Kerala |
3,111,111 |
Nil |
3,111,111 |
0.86 |
| Employees of BPCL |
398,603 |
1,213,840 |
1,612,443 |
0.44 |
| Unit Trust of India |
5,194 |
2,929,296 |
2,934,490 |
0.81 |
| Life Insurance Corporation of India |
Nil |
39,399,170 |
39,399,170 |
10.90 |
| Other Financial Institutions (Banks/Mutual Funds,) |
1,606 |
33,362,488 |
33,364,094 |
9.23 |
| Foreign Institutional Investors, OCBs & NRIs |
8,961 |
32,260,047 |
32,269,008 |
8.93 |
| Corporate Bodies & Major Holders with >5000 holdings |
33,778,254 |
8,083,200 |
41,861,454 |
11.58 |
| Public Including Bodies Corporate Holding < 5000 |
981,066 |
7,409,228 |
8,390,294 |
2.32 |
| |
236,884,855 |
124,657,269 |
361,542,124 |
100.00 |